Ontogenetic Modifications of Evoked EEG Activity in 6-to 16-Year-Old Children and Teenagers

We studied peculiarities of the age-related dynamics of amplitude/time characteristics of evoked EEG potentials (EPs) and event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded within the framework of the go/no go paradigm in 6- to 16-year-old children and teenagers. We found a number of significant correlations between age of the tested persons and characteristics of EPs and ERPs. With age, latencies of the components D 1 (in the frontal and central regions), N1 (practically throughout the head surface), D 2 (in the frontal, temporal, and central leads of the left hemisphere, as well as in the temporal and occipital leads of the right hemisphere), and wave D 300 (in the central regions of both hemispheres) demonstrated clear trends toward shortening. On the whole, the amplitudes of D 2 (in the frontal, central, and parietal regions of both hemispheres and in the right temporal region), N1-D 2 (in the frontal, central, and parietal regions), and contingent negative variation (in the left central lead) increased with age; we also observed a decrease in the amplitude of the N2 component, which reached a significant value in the left occipital lead. In addition, the working efficiency increased, which was manifested in decreases in the mean delay of the sensorimotor reaction, number of errors of omission of significant stimuli, and number of erroneous pushes. Therefore, the amplitude/time characteristics of some components of EPs and ERPs in 6- to 16-year-old children and teenagers demonstrate obvious age-dependent modifications; these shifts reflect the processes of maturation of the brain and formation of cognitive functions.