1- AND 2-BACK TASK PERFORMANCES AND EVENT-RELATED POTENTIAL PATTERNS OF PAROUS AND NULLIPAROUS FEMALES

Abstract

This study analyzes the change in working memory capacity between parous and nulliparous groups by studying the changes in event-related potential (ERP) patterns during 1- and 2-back tasks. A total of 50 women participated in the study: 27 belonging to the parous group (mean age: 33.1 ± 3.0 years) and 23 belonging to the nulliparous group (mean age: 30.8 ± 2.3 years). The parous group included women who had given birth within three years, while the nulliparous group included women who had not given birth. To compare the working memory capacity of the two groups, 1- and 2-back tasks were presented and the accuracy rate (%) and reaction times (ms) were extracted. While the subjects were performing their tasks, electroencephalograms were used to measure ERP patterns. The ERP patterns from Fz (midline frontal), Cz (midline central) and Pz (midline posterior), which are highly associated with working memory tasks, were analyzed. From the ERP patterns, N100, P300, P300 peak-to-peak (P300 p_p), P600 and P600 peak-to-peak (P600 p_p) components were extracted. The results showed no significant differences in working memory capacity (accuracy rate and reaction time) and ERP components between the two groups. These findings indicated that childbirth experience has no significant effect on working memory capacity.