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Neural Correlates Of Response Inhibition In Early Childhood: Evidence From A Go/No-Go Task, Aishah Abdul Rahman, Daniel J. Carroll, Kimberly Espy, Sandra A. Wiebe

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory: Faculty and Staff Publications

We examined the neural correlates underlying response inhibition in early childhood. Five-year-old children completed a Go/No-go task with or without time pressure (Fast vs. Slow condition) while scalp EEG was recorded. On No-go trials where inhibition was required, the left frontal N2 and posterior P3 were enhanced relative to Go trials. Time pressure was detrimental to behavioral performance and modulated the early-occurring P1 component. The topography of ERPs related to response inhibition differed from patterns typically seen in adults, and may indicate a compensatory mechanism to make up for immature inhibition networks in children.