ERPs and behavioral inhibition in a Go/No-go task in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

In order to study the behavioral responses and the blain inhibition process in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Event-Re lated Potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 30 sculp electrodes in 21 ADHD a nd 21 normal boys during performing a Go/No-go task. ADHD children made few er correct responses to both Go anti No-go stimuli than normal controls. Th e frontal N2 amplitude was larger for No-go stimuli than Go stimuli in bath groups, reflecting inhibition of responding. Smaller N2 amplitudes to No-g o stimuli were found in ADHD children, but only when the Go/No-go task; was performed after a first stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) task. In add ition, the controls exhibited a prolonged N2 only when the Go/No-go task wa s performed second. However, the ADHD subjects exhibited this prolonged N2 when the Lash was first, but not when it was second. These results suggest an inhibitory regulation problem rather an inhibition deficit in ADHD child ren. (C) 2000 Academic Press.