Neural Substrates of the Development of Cognitive Control in Children Ages 5-10 Years

Margaret Sheridan*, Maria Kharitonova, Rebecca E. Martin, Aparna Chatterjee, John D E Gabrieli

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cognitive conflict detection and resolution develops with age across childhood and likely supports age-related increases in other aspects of cognitive and emotional development. Little is known about the neural correlates of conflict detection and resolution in early childhood. In the current study, we investigated age-related change in neural recruitment during a blocked spatial-incompatibility task (Simon task) in children ages 5-10 years using fMRI. Cortical thickness was measured using structural MRI. Across all children, there was greater activation in right prefrontal and bilateral parietal cortices for incompatible than compatible conditions. In older children, compared with younger children, there was decreased activation and decreased gray matter thickness in the medial PFC. Thickness and activation changes across age were associated within participants, such that thinner cortex was associated with less activation in the rostral ACC. These findings suggest that developmental change in medial PFC activation supports performance on cognitive control tasks in early childhood.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1840-1850
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of cognitive neuroscience
Volume26
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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