EVENT-RELATED BRAIN POTENTIALS TO SEMANTICALLY INCONGRUENT WORDS IN CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES

In this study, developmental changes of N400 elicited by a simple para digm to semantic incongruity were examined. Subjects were divided in t hree different age groups and educational levels: Group I(first grade) = 7 - 8 years, n = 10; Group II (third grade) = 9 - 10 years, n = 10; and Group III (sixth grade) = 11 - 12 years, n = 10. EEG activity was recorded from 8 monopolar sites referred to linked earlobes. Data sho wed that the amplitude of the N400 like component did not change signi ficantly from first to sixth grade, although the onset latency appeare d to be shorter in older children. No significant latency and amplitud e changes were found among groups.