Changing characteristics of somatosensory evoked potentials in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated changing characteristics of somatosensory processing in adolescents, particularly sex differences, by comparing children, young adults, and males and females.

METHODS

Participants included 26 elementary school children (ESC), 36 adolescents (ADO), and 36 college students (CS). We recorded somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) using electrical stimulation of the right median nerve. Peak latencies and amplitudes were measured for P12, N15, P18, and N30 at Fz, and for P12 (P1), N18 (N1), P22 (P2), N27 (N2), P3, N3, P45 (P4), and N60 (N4) at C3'.

RESULTS

The P22 (P2) amplitude at C3' decreased with age. The N15 amplitude at Fz was larger in females across all groups. P3 and N3 occurrence at C3' decreased with age but remained high in ADO compared to CS. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between P22 (P2) amplitude at C3' and age in ADO boys, but not in ADO girls, ESC boys, or ESC girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Somatosensory processing in ADO is not as mature as in CS, with sex differences between ADO boys and girls.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings may aid understanding of neural activity in children with developmental disorders, supporting sensory-based therapies.