Neurophysiologic evaluation of auditory recognition memory in healthy newborn infants and infants of diabetic mothers.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the integrity of neural pathways for auditory recognition memory in normal newborn infants (n = 32) and infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs, n = 25). IDMs are at risk for fetal metabolic abnormalities that potentially damage recognition memory pathways. We hypothesized that newborn IDMs would have recognition memory deficits that would be correlated with later cognitive development.


METHODS
Recognition memory was assessed with event-related potentials (ERPs). Neonatal ERPs elicited by the maternal voice were compared with those elicited by a stranger's voice. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered at 1 year of age.


RESULTS
Infants in both the control and IDM groups demonstrated recognition of the maternal voice, but their ERP patterns differed. Both groups demonstrated increased amplitude and latency for the "P2" peak elicited by the maternal voice compared with the stranger's voice. In the control group the stranger's voice also elicited a negative slow wave, which was attenuated in the IDMs. The negative slow wave correlated significantly with the 1-year Mental Developmental Index.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a specific neonatal ERP pattern indicated better 1-year cognitive development in infants in the control and IDM groups. ERPs from IDMs demonstrated subtle evidence of recognition memory impairments.
Deregnier
R A
RA
Children's Hospitals and Clinics-St Paul, St Paul, Minnesota 55102, USA.
Nelson
C A
CA
Thomas
K M
KM
Wewerka
S
S
Georgieff
M K
MK
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*