By somatosensory event-related potentials (SERP) we have previously demonstrated in adults that an enhanced positivity of P 250 is statistically significant at the frontal region during the active attentivestate. We have also evaluated developmental changes of P 250 during different attentive states: passive and active. In this study, 30 healthy children (5-16 years of age) and six healthy adults (23-41 years) were required to perform the following four paradigms: passive attentive, active attentive, control, and oddball. SERP were recorded at F
z, C
z and P
z.
In the passive attentive paradigm, P250 amplitude at F
z, C
z and P
z remained constant irrespective of age. With regard to the topography of the amplitude, however, P 250 was distributed dominantly at P
z in Group 1 (5-6 years of age) and Group 2 (7-11 years), contrary to the dominance at C
z in both Group 3 (12-16 years) and adults. In the active attentive paradigm, on the other hand, the P 250 amplitude at F
z reached its minimum at about 10 years and then increased until the adulthood. With respect to the topography of the amplitude, P 250 was distributed dominantly at P
z in Groups 1 and 2, at C
z in Group 3, and at F
z and C
z in adults.
These results suggest that the topographic changes in the active attentive paradigm are dependent upon the developing abilities to expect the next stimulus and to maintain awareness.
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