Investigating the Development of Inhibitory Control in Early Childhood using the Tablet-based TapTap Task

Abstract The development of inhibitory control is an early construct of executive function (EF) and a key milestone of neurocognitive maturation. However, while its functional connectivity (fc) patterns have been well-defined in adults, its developmental trajectory in early childhood remains poorly understood. Using tablet-based EF tasks, we assessed inhibitory control in typically developing children between 2 to 6 years of age. Overall successful inhibition and improvement during competitive and non-competitive inhibition displayed converging patterns of fc. With increasing inhibitory control and task difficulty, additional frontal and parietal fc was recruited, and long-range connections established. Insights into early development and refinement of inhibitory control could provide essential information for the support in normal development as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders with EF and inhibition difficulties, such as autism spectrum disorder.