[Signs of pre-tuning in the dynamics of evoked activity and reaction time in children].

Abstract

Somatosensory evoked potentials (EP) and reaction time (RT) in response to tactile signals proceeding in a fixed or random sequences were simultaneously recorded in ten to eleven year old children. The connection between the dynamics of sliding means of both parameters was analysed. It was found that a reduction of RT correlated with stabilization of electrical cortical responses. The change in the signals alternation produced an interrelated lengthening of RT and dispersion of EP amplitudes, particularly pronounced for its early phases. Distinct interconnection between RT shortening and reduction of dispersions of EP components reflects the organization of a representative system, which provides for the enhancement of the level of pre-tuning (readiness) for perception of the highly probable sequence of the signals. Hypothesis of reflection of reverberation processes in the EP waves permits a satisfactory explanation of EP variability in signals recognition.