title: The actifier: a device for neurophysiological studies of orofacial control in human infants.
abstract: A new device for the stimulation of intraoral tissues in human neonates is described. This instrument, known as an actifier, features a wide frequency range for mechanical stimulation, integrated multichannel electomyographic electrode pairs, and the capacity for transducing law compression during non-nutritive sucking behavior. The stimulus/recording interface consists of a modified pacifier. The actifier has been used to investigate the responsiveness of the sucking central pattern generator in human infants to mechanical perturbation.
authors.affiliation: Speech-Orofacial Physiology, Laboratory, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Finan
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007568:Jaw / Q000502:physiology; D008046:Lip / Q000502:physiology; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography