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The influence of the functional state of brain regulatory systems on the programming, selective regulation and control of cognitive activity in children: I. Neuropsychological and EEG analysis of age-related changes in brain regulatory functions in children aged 9–12 years

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Abstract

Age-related changes in brain regulatory functions were studied in children aged from 9 to 12 years with typical development by means of neuropsychological and EEG methods. Children without learning difficulties or behavior deviations (N=107) participated in the study and were divided into three age groups (9–10, 10–11, and 11–12 years). Neuropsychological tests revealed nonlinear age-related changes in different components of executive brain functions. Children aged 10–11 years showed better results in programming, inhibition of impulsive reactions, and in the perception of socially relevant information than 9 to 10-year-old children. At the same time, 10–11-year-old children showed decreased level of task performance motivation and had more pronounced difficulties with selective activity regulation, namely: difficulties in switching from one element of a program to another and in the retention of the action sequence. Children aged 11–12 years had less difficulties with selective activity regulation and a higher level of task performance motivation than children aged 10–11 years however, impulsive behavior was more frequent in older group. The analysis of resting-state EEG showed age-related differences in deviated EEG patterns associated with non-optimal functioning of the fronto-thalamic and hypothalamic structures. The incidence of these two types of EEG patterns were significantly higher in children aged 10–11 years than in children aged 9–10 years. We revealed no significant differences in EEG recorded from 10- to 11- and 11- to 12- year-old children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Developmental Physiology, Russian Academy of Education, Moscow, 119121, Russia

    O. A. Semenova & R. I. Machinskaya

  2. Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia

    D. I. Lomakin

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  1. O. A. Semenova
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  2. R. I. Machinskaya
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  3. D. I. Lomakin
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Correspondence to O. A. Semenova.

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Original Russian Text © O.A. Semenova, R.I. Machinskaya, D.I. Lomakin, 2015, published in Fiziologiya Cheloveka, 2015, Vol. 41, No. 4, pp. 5–17.

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Semenova, O.A., Machinskaya, R.I. & Lomakin, D.I. The influence of the functional state of brain regulatory systems on the programming, selective regulation and control of cognitive activity in children: I. Neuropsychological and EEG analysis of age-related changes in brain regulatory functions in children aged 9–12 years. Hum Physiol 41, 345–355 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S036211971504012X

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S036211971504012X

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