Schedule of Events | Symposia

Sketchpad Series

The Neural Correlates of Inhibitory Control in Children with developmental language disorder (DLD)

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Asiya Gul¹ (agul@mghihp.edu), Annika L. Schafer¹, Yael Arbel¹; ¹MGH Institute of Health Professions, Cognitive Neuroscience Group

Abstract Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) exhibit limited executive functions1–3 —critical cognitive skills for goal-directed behavior—particularly inhibitory control deficits that impair performance on inhibition tasks4,5. The neural mechanisms underlying these deficits remain unclear. This study investigated the role of midfrontal theta-band (4–8 Hz) oscillations—a marker of cognitive control and error monitoring6–8, in inhibitory control among children with DLD compared to typically developing (TD) peers. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected from 70 children (27 DLD, 43 TD), aged 8–13 years while performing a Flanker task. Theta-band inter-trial coherence (ITC) and phase-locking values (PLV) were analyzed to assess temporal coherence and neural connectivity within and between brain regions. Neural activity at midfrontal (FCz), lateral-frontal(F3/F4), and lateral-central(C3/C4) sites was analyzed during two time-windows: -100 to 100 ms (error-related negativity, ERN) and 200 to 400 ms (P300). Children with DLD showed lower accuracy and slower reaction times than TD peers. Group differences in theta ITC and PLV were observed at lateral-frontal and lateral-central sites during incongruent trials, regardless of accuracy. During incongruent correct trials, children with DLD exhibited reduced PLV, particularly in connectivity between midfrontal (FCz) and the right lateral-central site (C4). Atypical theta dynamics and reduced neural connectivity in children with DLD indicate disrupted coordination of cognitive control processes. These disruptions likely underlie deficits in inhibitory control and error monitoring9, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to support EF development in this population.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Monitoring & inhibitory control