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Mismatch negativity in socially withdrawn children
Yair Bar-Haim1, Peter J Marshall, Nathan A Fox
1Department of Psychology, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Biological Psychiatry
|July 5, 2003
Summary
Socially withdrawn children show differences in early auditory processing. Their mismatch negativity (MMN) response is smaller and slower, suggesting a link to social withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Individual differences in auditory processing are linked to social engagement.
- Social withdrawal in children can be associated with social interaction difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early cortical auditory processing in socially withdrawn children.
- To examine the mismatch negativity (MMN) response in relation to social withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- Auditory event-related potentials were recorded from 23 socially withdrawn and 22 control children.
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) difference waveforms were analyzed at frontal, central, and parietal electrode sites.
Main Results:
- Socially withdrawn children exhibited significantly smaller MMN amplitude.
- Socially withdrawn children demonstrated significantly longer MMN latencies compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in early auditory processing are implicated in childhood social withdrawal.
- Reduced MMN amplitude and delayed latency may be biomarkers for social withdrawal.
- Potential frontal cortex MMN generator links childhood social withdrawal to schizophrenia and depression.