Spectral characteristics of the newborn rhesus macaque EEG reflect functional cortical activity

Brain electrical activity is one means of assessing neural development in awake, reactive infants. The development of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in the first week of infant rhesus macaque life is poorly understood though recent work has demonstrated the utility of using this measure to assess neural responses to biologically meaningful stimuli. Here we report on the emergence of EEG rhythms in one-week-old infant rhesus macaques under both light and dark conditions. Our data show that the 5–7 Hz frequency band responds reliably to changes in illumination. As well, we found EEG in higher frequencies (12–20 Hz) that significantly increase between dark and light conditions similar to the increase in the beta band of humans during cognitive tasks. These findings demonstrate similarities between infant human and infant monkey EEG and suggest approaches for future translational research in developmental psychobiology.

► We measured EEG activity from newborn rhesus macaques (1 to 7 days old).
► We identified an alpha rhythm within the 5–7 Hz band similar to that of humans.
► We found EEG in higher frequencies probably associated with greater cognitive processing.
► Functional cortical activity at birth may relate to behavioral and cognitive processing.
► The findings point to the use of EEG to measure cognitive processes in newborns.