Mismatch negativity

Hi there! Do you know what your brain is? It's like a computer that controls everything you do and feel! It's very smart, and sometimes it can even detect when something is different from what it's used to.

Imagine you're used to hearing a certain sound, like the beep of a toy car. If someone suddenly made that sound different, like by adding a longer beep or making it sound like a different toy, your brain would notice! It would basically say, "Wait, that doesn't sound right! That's not what I'm used to hearing."

That's where "mismatch negativity" comes in. It's like a signal in your brain that tells you when something is different or "mismatched" compared to what you're used to. Scientists can measure this signal using special machines that record brain activity.

So, when you hear a sound that's different from what you're used to, a signal called mismatch negativity is created in your brain. This signal tells you that something has changed and your brain needs to pay attention to it. It's kind of like a warning signal that helps you notice important things in your environment!

Pretty cool, right? Our brains are amazing!