Effect of Antecedent Cues on Interference Control in Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We utilized the N1 component of event-related potential (ERP) during a flanker task featuring antecedent cues to elucidate the impact of these cues on interference control in children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results revealed that, within the typical development children (TD) group, the reaction time for congruent stimuli in the “anticipatory cue condition” with antecedent cues was significantly shorter compared to the “control condition” lacking such cues. Conversely, in the ADHD group, the reaction time for incongruent stimuli in the anticipatory cue condition was notably more prolonged than in the control condition. Additionally, the N1 amplitude in ERP was diminished for incongruent stimuli in the anticipatory cue condition compared to the control condition in the ADHD group. These findings suggest that children with ADHD employ a distinct interference control strategy from their TD peers, specifically adopting a more cautious response approach to incongruent stimuli. The attenuation of N1 amplitude may signify a decrease in early processing, potentially rendering them less susceptible to interference from incongruent stimuli.