The strength of neural response to sensory stimuli is often estimated
by measurement of the amplitude of gross neural potentials. These gros
s potentials reflect the summed activity of a population of neurons. T
he amplitude of these potentials is dependent upon the synchrony of th
e contributing neural responses. We compared the variability of the pe
ak-to-peak amplitude of the auditory nerve compound action potential (
CAP) with that of the area under the peaks. The area under the peaks w
as significantly less variable than the amplitude for responses to low
frequency stimuli. Responses to other stimuli showed differences in t
he same direction, but these were not significant, We conclude that th
e area under these peaks is a more precise measure of neural response
than measurement of waveform amplitude, at least for responses to low
frequency stimuli.