The mathematics cognitive function in children with sleep disordered breathing: an event-related potentials study

Objective To study the features of impaired cognitive neural mechanism in children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Methods 15 SDB children and 15 normal children, with no significant difference in the age and sex, performed mathematic tasks which include calculating and deciding. ERP was collected by BESA software. The differences of ERP components were compared and analysed. Results (1) The reaction time in children with SDB was longer than that in control group in addition and subtraction(M(P25, P75): 1086.83(986.17, 1393.45)ms vs 909.70(833.35, 1117.82)ms, 1233.74(1021.99, 1388.76)ms vs 967.88(873.68, 1137.32)ms, all P<0.05). (2)Fz in Mathematic ERP calculating: the P1, P2, N2 latency (ms) in children with SDB was significantly longer than that in control group((N1: (133.20±17.60)vs(86.40±19.76); P2: (219.47±16.48)vs(185.73±23.840; N2: (341.07±51.67) vs (297.60±24.18) for addition; N1: (135.20±13.83) vs (88.27±16.95); P2: (215.87±17.43) vs(189.07±19.45); N2: (344.40±43.54)vs(308.27±47.77)for subtraction)(all P<0.05). The P2 amplitudes(μV) for addition of children with SDB were lower than that of control group((6.75±4.56) vs (10.28±4.21))(P<0.05). The N1, N2 latency (ms) for deciding in children with SDB was significantly longer than that of control group while in deciding right (N1: (130.27±14.28) vs (95.20±25.50); P2: (231.07±21.06) vs (194.33±22.45)) and the P3 amplitudes(μV) in children with SDB were significantly lower than that of control group((5.70±3.62 vs(11.29±7.30))(all P<0.05). The N1, P2, N2 latency (ms) in children with SDB was significantly longer than that of control group while in deciding error(N1: (133.47±14.49) vs ( 90.13±21.85); P2: (228.53±25.75) vs (187.33±19.810; N2: 344(318, 360) vs(291.07±26.52)) and the P3 amplitudes(μV) in children with SDB were significantly lower than that of control group((6.75±3.93)vs(10.85±6.05)), all P<0.05. Conclusion Early identification, early processing and executive ability are impaired in SDB children with processing speed decreased. Mathematics cognition is impaired in SDB children. Key words: Sleep disordered breathing; Children; Mathematic cognition; Event-related potentials