Neurodynamic correlates of response inhibition from emerging to mid adulthood

Abstract

Response inhibition, a key executive function, continues to develop in early adulthood in parallel with maturational processes of the underlying prefrontal regions known to support it. The current study examined behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition during a visual Go/No-Go task in a large sample (N = 120) comprised of participants in their Early 20s (ages 19–21), Mid 20s (ages 23–27), and Early 30s (ages 28–42). The two younger groups had lower accuracy, shorter reaction times, and made more premature responses compared to Early 30s. These impulsive behavioral tendencies were reflected in a delayed N2 latency and reduced P2 and P3 amplitudes for Early 20s compared to Early 30s and were associated with personality traits such as impulsivity in an age-dependent manner. The results suggest that response inhibition may not develop fully before the approximate age of 25, as the refinement of the primarily prefrontal cognitive control network follows a protracted developmental trajectory throughout young adulthood.

Error processing in young adulthood: Age-related differences in electrophysiology and behavioral performance.

“…2 KNEŽEVIĆ response inhibition is presented in a companion article (Knežević & Marinković, 2017). Hajcak (2009a, 2009b) investigated how the number of error trials would influence the quantification of error-related brain activity (ERN and Pe) and found that the ERN and Pe became stable when eight trials were included.…”

“…In our previous study (Knežević et al, 2016), we found age-related differences in the neural basis of performance monitoring between young adults aged 18–19 and young adults aged 23–25. Given that studies showed protracted brain development up to the age of 28, in order to acquire a complete picture of response inhibition advancement throughout young adulthood, in the following study, we included a group of young adults aged above 28 years (Knežević & Marinković, 2017) since at this life stage, we do not expect significant brain maturational changes (Knežević, 2018). Indeed, we found that on the behavioral level, those in their early 20s and mid 20s showed more impulsive responses compared to participants in their early 30s.…”

The social historical roots of the concept of emerging adulthood and its impact on early adults

“…The recent studies point to new vulnerabilities in EA that predispose people to various neurological and psychological problems (Taber-Thomas & Perez-Edgar, 2016). Brain studies using data collected with fMRI machines conducted in recent years have found a neurological basis for EAs’ lack of impulse control (Knežević & Marinković, 2017), risky sexual behavior (Victor & Hariri, 2016), excessive use of cannabis (Maij, van de Wetering, & Franken, 2017), and alcohol abuse (Nixon, 2013; Silveri, 2012; Weiland et al, 2014). Silveri (2012) argues for postponing the legalization of alcohol consumption until “neurological maturity” in adulthood is reached.…”

“…One dominant theory about adolescent susceptibility to risky behaviors has been the dual systems model theory which proposes that the emotional centers of youth develop earlier than their more rational cognitive centers (mainly the prefrontal cortex). Therefore, while they experience intense emotions, the theory purports, this is typically not accompanied by mature reasoning thereby predisposing youth to irrational emotions and risk-taking (Knežević & Marinković, 2017; Steinberg et al, 2008; Taber-Thomas & Perez Edgar, 2016). While Steinberg et al (2008), who conceived of the model, offer that this is a simple heuristic technique to explain adolescent behavior, the idea has been expanded and applied to notions of vulnerabilities in EA brains (Wu et al, 2016).…”

The Effectiveness of Response Inhibition Cognitive Rehabilitation in Improving the Quality of Sleep and Behavioral Symptoms of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…ADHD is accompanied by ineffective executive functions such as response inhibition (8). Response inhibition is a key executive function which grows with the onset of puberty which is supported by the frontal lobe (9). It is a neurological element helping children provide delayed responses (10).…”