EEG as a measure of developmental changes in the chicken brain.
Scalp-applied recording electrodes were used to monitor changes in basal EEG patterns in chickens during posthatch development. Frequency spectra produced by Fast Fourier Transform show a biphasic morphology in all chickens with one peak at about 6 Hz and another at 26 Hz. Changes in the lower frequency band show progressive development and provide a possible index of brain development. Both amplitude and dominant frequency of the spectra decrease between Weeks 3 and 8 posthatch, reaching adult levels between Weeks 5 and 7. These results suggest that modifications of basal EEG reflect the widespread functional changes in neuronal circuits occurring in chicken during the "synapse maturation" period between 3 and 8 weeks' posthatch.
Hunter
M
M
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Battilana
M
M
Bragg
T
T
Rostas
J A
JA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology