Neural Correlates of Response Inhibition in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Go/No-Go Task

Authors

Aishah Abdul Rahman, University of AlbertaFollow
Daniel J. Carroll, University of SheffieldFollow
Kimberly Espy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Sandra A. Wiebe, University of AlbertaFollow

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

Published in Developmental Neuropsychology 2017, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 336–350.

doi 10.1080/87565641.2017.1355917

Comments

Copyright © 2017 Taylor & Francis. Used by permission.

Abstract

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.