Atypical brain activation in children who stutter in a visual Go/Nogo task: An ERP study

•Children who stutter (CWS) show atypical brain activation compared to typically developing children (TDC) in a visual Go/Nogo task especially in the right frontal area.•CWS had prolonged N2 in both conditions while the Nogo P3 component was diminished compared to TDC.•Stimulus classification and/or inhibitory control may operate abnormally in the CWS.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate inhibitory control by evaluating possible differences in the strength and distribution of the brain activity in a visual Go/Nogo task in children who stutter (CWS) compared to typically developing children (TDC).MethodsEleven CWS and 19 TDC participated. Event related potentials (ERP) were recorded using a 64-channel EEG-cap during an equiprobable visual Go/Nogo task. The global field power (GFP) as well as the mean amplitudes in the P3 time frame were compared between groups. Additionally, the potential maps of the groups were investigated visually in the N2 and P3 time windows.ResultsThe groups differed significantly in the right frontal area especially in the Nogo condition (p < 0.001) with CWS showing smaller (less positive) mean amplitudes, most likely due to a prolonged and asymmetrical N2 component. Also the fronto-central Nogo P3 component was rather indistinct in CWS, but easily recognizable in TDC in the potential maps.ConclusionsThe CWS show atypical brain activation compared to the TDC in a Go/Nogo task as indexed by the excessive N2-related activity in both conditions and reduced P3-related activity in Nogo condition.SignificanceThese findings indicate atypical stimulus evaluation and response inhibition processes in CWS.