Stimulus-response incompatibility effects on event-related potentials in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

In order to test the hypothesis of a response choice deficit in attention-d eficit hyperactivity disorder. (ADHD) children, event related potentials (E RPs) were recorded from 30 scalp electrodes in 21 ADHD and 21 normal boy's during a spatial stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) task. ADHD children made fewer correct responses th;ln control children, but did not show a lar ger incompatibility effect on response speed and accuracy. In ERPs, ADHD ch ildren had longer N1 latency and larger condition effect on the frontal N2, which would reflect a greater frontal involvement for the correct response s. The ADHD group who performed the SRC task first showed a larger conditio n effect on an early occipital P3 only, while the ADHD group who performed the SRC task second showed a larger condition effect on a later central P65 0 component and on a late parietal NSW, as compared with normal controls. T hese results suggest strategic differences in information processing in ADH D children, lather than a specific deficit. (C) 2000 Academic Press.