Neonatal EEG linked to individual differences in socioemotional outcomes and autism risk in toddlers

Abstract

Research using electroencephalography (EEG) as a measure of brain function and maturation has demonstrated links between cortical activity and cognitive processes during infancy and early childhood. The current study examines whether neonatal EEG is correlated with later atypical socioemotional behaviors or neurocognitive delays. Parental report developmental assessments were administered to families with children ages 24 to 36 months who had previously participated in a neonatal EEG study (N = 129). Significant associations were found between neonatal EEG (higher frequencies in the frontal polar, temporal, and parietal brain regions) and BITSEA ASD risk scores. Infants with lower EEG power in these brain areas were more likely to have higher risk of socioemotional problems. When examining sex differences, significant links were found for males but not for females. These results demonstrate some promising associations between early neural biomarkers and later risk for atypical behaviors, which may shape early neurobehavioral development and could lead to earlier identification and intervention.

Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco and Neonatal Brain Activity

“…The Benjamini-Hochberg critical value for passing P values was P = .006. However, in contrast to PAE, these associations were seen at higher EEG frequencies, specifically in the right-central region (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36) Hz) and right-parietal region (28-39 Hz; 43-45 Hz) (…”

Electroencephalographic Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics and Therapeutic Implications

“…Abnormal power patterns seem to occur very early in toddlers. A recent study has analyzed 129 neonatal EEG finding a significant association between higher frequency EEG power (primarily in right frontal, polar, left parietal and right temporal brain regions) and socioemotional competences evaluated through the brief infant toddler social emotional assessment (BITSEA) [ 64 ].…”

EEG Phase-Amplitude Coupling Strength and Phase Preference: Association with Age over the First Three Years after Birth

“…Development of predictive or risk-associated biomarkers that may allow for earlier treatment is a high priority in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders (Sahin et al, 2019;Wolff & Piven, 2020). While EEG power has been extensively studied for this purpose (Brito et al, 2019;Gabard-Durnam et al, 2019), PAC may offer particular promise given its potential mechanistic underpinnings (Ryan T. Helfrich et al, 2016;Hyafil et al, 2015;Jensen et al, 2014). However, use of PAC for studying neurodevelopmental disorders first requires an understanding of how PAC changes across typical development.…”