Chinese character semantic and behavioral problems in 7-8 years old children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an ERP study

Objective To explore Chinese character semantic processing feature and the relationship with behavioral problems in early childhood with ADHD. Methods Twenty ADHD children and twenty normal children (7-8 years old) performed a Chinese character semantic judgment task through event related potential (ERP), meanwhile Conners parent rating scale (PSQ) was completed by parents to analyze behavior problems in children. The relationship between behavioral problems and ERPs was analyzed. Results (1)ADHD group showed smaller amplitudes of P200 compared to the normal group (related (6.6±4.8)μV vs (11.6±6.4)μV; unrelated (6.7±3.7)μV vs (10.8±5.0)μV), and longer latency (related(240±30)ms vs (198±17)ms; the unrelated (232±26)ms vs (194±16)ms; psudoword (233±26)ms vs (197±15)ms), all P 0.05), while the latency of N400 was significantly longer than that in normal children in three conditions(P<0.05). (2) Four subscale scores of CPSQ(conduct problem, learning problem, hyperactivity-impulsion and hyperactivity index) were significantly higher in ADHD children compared with normal group. (3)The amplitudes of P200 in related condition had negative correlation with the scores of CPSQ subscale (conduct problem, psychosomatic disorder, hyperactivity-impulsion and hyperactivity index)(r=-0.51, -0.47, -0.45, -0.46, all P<0.05. The latency of P200 in related condition had positive correlation with psychosomatic disorder scores(r=0.54, P=0.01). Conclusion Early semantic recognition disorder exists in 7~8 years old ADHD children. P200 can be used as an objective index to evaluate early childhood ADHD’s language cognition, and P200 is related to behavior problems (such as conduct problem, impulsions). Key words: Early childhood; Attention deficit hyperactive disorder; Event related potentials; Chinese character semantic processing; Behavior problem