The Sleeping Brain’s Connectivity and Family Environment: Characterizing Sleep EEG Coherence in an Infant Cohort

Abstract

Brain connectivity closely reflects brain function and behavior. Sleep EEG coherence, a measure of brain’s connectivity during sleep, undergoes pronounced changes across development under the influence of environmental factors. Yet, the determinants of the developing brain’s sleep EEG coherence from the child’s family environment remain unknown. After characterizing high-density sleep EEG coherence in 31 healthy 6-month-old infants by detecting strongly synchronized clusters through a data-driven approach, we examined the association of sleep EEG coherence from these clusters with factors from the infant’s family environment. Clusters with greatest coherence were observed over the frontal lobe. Higher delta coherence over the left frontal cortex was found in infants sleeping in their parents’ room, while infants sleeping in a room shared with their sibling(s) showed greater delta coherence over the central parts of the frontal cortex, suggesting a link between local brain connectivity and co-sleeping. Finally, lower occipital delta coherence was associated with maternal anxiety regarding their infant’s sleep. These interesting links between sleep EEG coherence and family factors have the potential to serve in early health interventions as a new set of targets from the child’s immediate environment.

Lack of association between behavioral development and simplified topographical markers of the sleep EEG in infancy

“…For instance, a twin study with adolescents showed that environmental impact could account for 66% (compared to 19% for genetic) of the variance in EEG coherence ( Markovic et al, 2021 ). Although infants have had a shorter exposure to the environment, the family environment still contributes to variability that can be reflected in brain connectivity and, therefore, in the sleep EEG ( Markovic et al, 2023 ). Indeed, beyond the sleep EEG, behavior can also be influenced by the immediate environment.…”