Frequency domain analyses of neonatal flash VEP.
A battery of frequency-dependent measures was made for high-density electroencephalographic recording measured in response to a flash stimulus in 12 normal term infants within 2 d of birth. Significant changes recorded in posterior electrodes in the same time window as the visual evoked potential (VEP) included increased local synchrony at approximately 40 Hz, increased power at approximately 16 Hz, the emergence of nonlinear coupling of lower (approximately 2 Hz) and higher frequency oscillations, and phase locking over a wide range of frequencies. This research provides evidence of neural synchrony and nonlinear coupling in response to a simple visual stimulus. These mechanisms are functional in early development. It is proposed that the frequency domain metrics of this study may augment current diagnostic measures of cortical function at birth.
Isler
Joseph R
JR
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA. jri2101@columbia.edu
Grose-Fifer
Jillian
J
Fifer
William P
WP
Housman
Sarah
S
Stark
Raymond I
RI
Grieve
Philip G
PG
D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012016:Reference Values; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology*