[Event-related potentials of working memory impairment in children with primary nocturnal enuresis]

To study the cognitive neural mechanism of working memory impairment in children with primary nocturnal enuresis using event-related potential (ERP).

A total of 14 children with primary nocturnal enuresis were enrolled as enuresis group, and 14 normal children were enrolled as control group. The learning-recognition task test was applied, and the ERP components (P2, N2, and P3) at Fz lead while identifying old pictures (learned) and new ones (unlearned) were measured and compared between the two groups.

While identifying the old pictures, the enuresis group had a lower amplitude of P2 and N2 than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the latency of P2, N2, and P3 and the amplitude of P3. While identifying the new pictures, the enuresis group had a longer latency of P2 and a significantly lower amplitude of N2 than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the amplitude of P2 and P3 and the latency of N2 and P3.

Compared with normal children, the children with primary nocturnal enuresis have reduced abilities of classified information extraction, a prolonged reaction time, and reductions in memory capacity, memory consolidation, and conflict monitoring, which causes working memory impairment.