Atypical auditory cortical processing in ADHD during early and middle childhood
Marija Pranjić1, Jirapat Likitlersuang2, Anne B Arnett1
1Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show altered auditory deviance detection (MMN) and novelty processing. These brain responses may serve as developmental markers for attention regulation difficulties in ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Auditory perception relies on integrating sensory input with predictive processes.
- Disruptions in these processes are linked to attention and behavior regulation issues in children.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by atypical attention regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate auditory deviance detection (MMN) and novelty processing (novelty-P3) in children with ADHD.
- To explore developmental differences in these auditory event-related potentials across childhood.
- To identify potential neurophysiological markers for ADHD-related attention regulation deficits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an auditory oddball paradigm to elicit event-related potentials.
- Examined mismatch negativity (MMN) and novelty-P3 responses in early and middle childhood cohorts.
- Correlated MMN and novelty-P3 measures with ADHD symptoms and diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Elevated ADHD symptoms were associated with altered MMN responses in both early and middle childhood.
- Early childhood ADHD was linked to larger negative-going MMN amplitudes and altered habituation.
- Middle childhood ADHD showed attenuated MMN amplitudes; novelty-P3 differences were less consistent.
Conclusions:
- Auditory deviance detection (MMN) shows developmental alterations in children with ADHD.
- MMN and novelty adaptation may serve as developmental markers for atypical attention regulation in ADHD.
- Findings support a systems-level model of attention regulation involving sensory and predictive processing integration.
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