Family study of the error-related negativity in adolescent and young adult females and their parents

The error-related negativity (ERN) has been identified as a potential endophenotype of psychopathology. However, there is limited research investigating familial transmission of the ERN, particularly across developmental phases that are associated with increased risk for psychopathology. The present study included a sample of one hundred thirty-one adolescent and young adult females (Mage = 17.77, SD = 1.84) and their biological parents at a first assessment and 75 females (Mage = 20.48, SD = 1.75) and their biological parents at a second assessment. Participants and their parents completed a flanker task while electroencephalography was recorded to examine parent-daughter associations of the ERN, correct response negativity (CRN), and Delta ERN (i.e., ERN-CRN) at two assessments that were separated by approximately 3 years (Myears = 2.84, SD = 0.60). The daughters also completed self-report measures of generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. Results indicated that the Delta ERN, but not the ERN or CRN, was positively correlated between parents and their daughters at both assessments. Furthermore, the parent-daughter correlation strength did not differ between assessments. Finally, both daughter and parent triangle ERNs were associated with daughter generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. The present study suggests that, like psychiatric disorders, the ERN runs in families and is associated with both concurrent and familial psychopathology, supporting its conceptualization as an endophenotype of psychopathology. The error-related negativity (ERN) has been linked to the development of particular forms of psychopathology. It is important to understand whether, like psychiatric disorders, the ERN runs in families which might suggest shared genetic and/or environmental factors impacting this neurobiological risk factor. Results of the present study indicated the triangle ERN was correlated between parents and their daughters and the association was stable across approximately 2 years; however, both daughter and parent triangle ERNs were associated with daughter generalized anxiety and depression symptoms. The present study provides further support that the ERN is an endophenotype for psychopathology.