n100

N100 is an alphanumeric designation used in multiple domains to label different entities. The term is most widely encountered in neuroscience, where it denotes an event-related potential component observed in electroencephalography (EEG) data. In this context, the N100 (often referred to as N1) is a negative-going deflection that typically peaks around 100 milliseconds after a sensory stimulus, most reliably for auditory inputs.

The N100 component is usually detected at fronto-central scalp sites. It reflects early sensory processing in the auditory cortex and related networks. Its amplitude and latency are influenced by various factors, including stimulus properties such as intensity and spectral content, as well as cognitive factors like attention, expectancy, and adaptation. The N100 is frequently studied to understand perceptual processing, sensory gating, and the effects of attention on early sensory stages. It has been examined in both healthy individuals and clinical populations, including research on aging and psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.

Beyond neuroscience, N100 is also used as a model designation or product code across different industries. In those contexts, N100 does not carry a universal meaning; its interpretation depends on the manufacturer, field, and specific product line. As a result, identifying what N100 refers to requires additional domain-specific context.

In summary, N100 most commonly refers to the early ERP component associated with sensory processing in EEG studies, but the sequence of characters is also used as a general label in other fields where it denotes a model or part number.