OASIS

Presentation Abstract

Program#/Poster#:	675.7/FF55
Title:	Morning nutrition and executive function processes in preadolescents: Modulation of frontal event-related theta, beta and gamma EEG oscillations during a go/ no-go task
Location:	South Hall A
Presentation Time:	Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Authors:	*R. T. PIVIK¹, R. A. DYKMAN²; ¹Dept Pediatrics Univ. of Arkansas for Med. Sci., Arkansas Children's Nutr. Ctr., Little Rock, AR; ²Psychology and Brain Sci., Univ. of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Abstract:	Executive functions (i.e., goal-directed behavior such as inhibition and flexibility of action) have been linked to frontal brain regions and to covariations in oscillatory brain activity, e.g., theta and gamma activity. We studied the effects of morning nutritional status on executive function relationships by performing time-frequency decomposition analyses on frontal EEG activity recorded from healthy, right-handed children (8-11 yrs. old; IQ > 80) performing a cued visual go/no-go task. The frequency bands of interest (theta, beta, gamma) were selected because of their demonstrated involvement in processes important in learning and performance [i.e., arousal and motor behaviors (beta); attention (theta), memory (theta, gamma) and perceptual binding (gamma)]. Children were tested after overnight fasting (Phase 1), and again (Phase 2) after eating a standardized breakfast (n = 44; 21 males) or while continuing to fast (n = 48; 28 males). Performance measures - accuracy and reaction time (RT) - were obtained. Data were analyzed using ANOVA procedures with post-hoc t-tests. Response accuracy was similar across groups. RT slowed from Phase 1 to Phase 2 for fasting, but not fed children (p < .01). Consistent with increased executive function demands associated with response inhibition, theta power was greater to no-go than go stimuli (p < .05) for both groups. Relative to Phase 1 values for both stimulus conditions, during Phase 2 beta power increased in fed children and gamma power decreased in fasting children (p <.05). Children who ate breakfast show improvements in performance associated with covariations in frequency-specific neuronal oscillations known to be important in cognition and learning. In addition to indicating enhanced executive function processes in these children, the results show a sensitivity of frontal executive function processes to short-term variations in nutrition in healthy preadolescents.
Disclosures:	R.T. Pivik, None; R.A. Dykman, None.
Keyword(s):	executive function
	EEG
	inhibition
Support:	USDA ARS CRIS 6251-51000-002-03S
	[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2009 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Chicago, IL: Society for Neuroscience, 2009. Online. 2009 Copyright by the Society for Neuroscience all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.


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