Psychometric properties of infant electroencephalography: Developmental stability, reliability, and construct validity of frontal alpha asymmetry and delta–beta coupling

Abstract

Resting‐state electroencephalography (EEG) provides developmental neuroscientists a noninvasive view into the neural underpinnings of cognition and emotion. Recently, the psychometric properties of two widely used neural measures in early childhood—frontal alpha asymmetry and delta–beta coupling—have come under scrutiny. Despite their growing use, additional work examining how the psychometric properties of these neural signatures may change across infancy is needed. The current study examined the developmental stability, split‐half reliability, and construct validity of infant frontal alpha asymmetry and delta–beta coupling. Infants provided resting‐state EEG data at 8, 12, and 18 months of age (N = 213). Frontal alpha asymmetry and delta–beta coupling showed significant developmental change from 8 to 18 months. Reliability for alpha asymmetry, and alpha, delta, and beta power, individually, was generally good. In contrast, the reliability of delta–beta coupling scores was poor. Associations between frontal alpha asymmetry and approach tendencies generally emerged, whereas stronger (over‐coupled) delta–beta coupling scores were associated with profiles of dysregulation and low inhibition. However, the individual associations varied across time and specific measures of interest. We discuss these findings with a developmental lens, highlighting the importance of repeated measures to better understand links between neural signatures and typical and atypical development.

Methods and metrics for EEG/ERP assessment of emotion and cognition in young children

“…In the frequency domain, Anaya et al. (2021) examined reliability, stability, and construct validity of two promising neural markers of emotionality, frontal alpha asymmetry and delta–beta coupling, in a longitudinal study of infants.…”

Behavioral and neural measures of infant responsivity increase with maternal multisensory input in non‐irritable infants

“…Previous work has demonstrated associations between frontal asymmetry and emotional reactivity with more left shift (more positive FAS) indicating more approach behaviors (Anaya et al, 2021;Davidson, 1994;Hane et al, 2008). Infant EEG asymmetry seems to reflect emotional reactivity as both a state-and trait-like characteristic.…”

“…Because behavioral facial expressions are still developing in the first 4 months, behavioral coding in early life may not reflect the full extent of infant responses (Lewis, 2011a , 2011b ; Lilley et al., 1997 ; Relland et al., 2019 ). To address this challenge and to add to the literature on electroencephalogram (EEG) in infants (Anaya et al., 2021 ), we used EEG measures as an objective marker of infant responsivity to increasing multisensory stimulation (neural responsiveness). EEG has been used to examine brain responses to multisensory stimulation.…”

“…In the context of a mother–child interaction, maternal sensory stimulation likely elicits infant emotional responses in addition to the processing of sensory stimuli. Frontal asymmetry of alpha‐band EEG signals has been extensively studied and established as an informative measure of emotional reactivity in infants and adults (Anaya et al., 2021 ; Coan & Allen, 2004 ; Coan et al., 2006 ; Davidson, 1993 ; Gartstein, 2019 ; Howarth et al., 2016 ; Licata et al., 2015 ). Frontal asymmetry is more pronounced during procedures designed to elicit emotional responses compared to resting protocols (Coan et al., 2006 ).…”

Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Response to Stressor Moderates the Relation Between Parenting Hassles and Child Externalizing Problems

“…In a study of preschool children, inattentive and shy temperamental dispositions predicted externalizing problems, and higher inattentiveness strengthened the relationship between parenting hassles and externalizing problems ( Coplan et al, 2003 ). Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), an EEG measure of hemispheric asymmetry in the activity of the prefrontal cortex under resting or emotionally challenging conditions, is a potential demand characteristic that is also a marker of children’s temperamental dispositions ( Howarth et al, 2016 ; Anaya et al, 2021 ; Vincent et al, 2021 ). However, FAA has not yet been studied as a factor that might moderate the association between parenting daily hassles and children’s externalizing problems.…”