Study of event-related potentials based on Flanker task in adolescent addicted to smoking

Abstract

Objective To investigate the change of the error positivity (Pe) of event-related potential(ERP) under Flanker task in adolescents with smoking addiction. Method The signals of ERP during the Flanker task in fifteen adolescents with smoking addiction were compared with that of 15 non-smoking adolescents. Results The Pe amplitude in adolescents with smoking addiction ((3.575±2.299)μV) was significantly lower than that of non-smokers ((5.865 ± 4.290)μV) (F=5.324, P=0.029), and the reaction time of the Flanker task in smoking addiction adolescent group ((440.754±36.051)ms) was significantly higher than that in the control group((422.850±20.194)ms)(F=0.620, P<0.05). The Pe amplitude in adolescents with smoking addiction was positively correlated with smoking index (pack-years)(r=0.599, P=0.018). Conclusion The adolescents with smoking addiction may exit worse ability of error monitoring during the Flanker task. Key words: Adolescent smokers; Flanker task; Event-related potentials; Error positivity