Correlation between parent-reported executive functions and EEG response during selective-attention and language tasks in preschool children: An event-related and spectral measurement study

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Correlation between parent-reported executive functions and EEG response during selective-attention and language tasks in preschool children: An event-related and spectral measurement study A. D'Angiulli1*, G. Griffiths2 and W-H Yeh1 1 Carleton University, Department of Psychology, Canada 2 Carleton University, Institute of Cognitive Science, Canada To investigate the neural correlates of level of developing executive functions, we recorded Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) in preschool children performing a visual selective attention task and a computerized version of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The attention task required to respond to an infrequent target (cartoon duck), but ignore a frequent distracter (cartoon turtle), whereas the vocabulary task was. Children’s executive functioning was assessed by their parents with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF-P). Accuracy on the tasks was ≥ 90% with no age differences. The ERP responses across tasks generally showed a similar time-course and progression from posterior to frontal activation. Because of high multicollinearity among the BRIEF-P sub-dimensions, our analyses used the Global Executive Composite score (GEC). The main finding was a positive relation between GEC and Event-Related Bandpower (ERB) across tasks (mean R2 = .4034). The children with poorer executive function or high-activity group (higher GEC scores) showed higher ERBs than children with better executive function or low-activity group (lower GEC scores), especially in the delta (1-4Hz), theta (4-8Hz) and beta (13-26Hz) bands. However, there were no differences in the alpha (8-13Hz) band. In addition, we found that the delta-to-alpha ERB frontal ratio (especially on the right hemisphere) was greater in the high-than the low-activity group. These results were not specific to task, condition or type of trials, which suggests that, with further validation, the delta-to-alpha ratio may potentially become a valid indicator of early ADHD in preschool children. Keywords: EEG response Conference: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes, Toronto, Canada, 22 Mar - 26 Mar, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Frontal Lobe Development Citation: D'Angiulli A, Griffiths G and Yeh W (2010). Correlation between parent-reported executive functions and EEG response during selective-attention and language tasks in preschool children: An event-related and spectral measurement study. Conference Abstract: The 20th Annual Rotman Research Institute Conference, The frontal lobes. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.14.00082 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 29 Jun 2010; Published Online: 29 Jun 2010. * Correspondence: Dr. A. D'Angiulli, Carleton University, Department of Psychology, Ottawa, Canada, amedeo.dangiulli@carleton.ca Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers A. D'Angiulli G. Griffiths W-H Yeh Google A. D'Angiulli G. Griffiths W-H Yeh Google Scholar A. D'Angiulli G. Griffiths W-H Yeh PubMed A. D'Angiulli G. Griffiths W-H Yeh Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.