Functional connectivity in preterm infants derived from EEG coherence analysis

ObjectiveTo quantify the neuronal connectivity in preterm infants between homologous channels of both hemispheres.MethodsEEG coherence analysis was performed on serial EEG recordings collected from preterm infants with normal neurological follow-up. The coherence spectrum was divided in frequency bands: δnewborn(0–2 Hz), θnewborn(2–6 Hz), αnewborn(6–13 Hz), βnewborn(13–30 Hz). Coherence values were evaluated as a function of gestational age (GA) and postnatal maturation.ResultsAll spectra show two clear peaks in the δnewborn and θnewborn-band, corresponding to the delta and theta EEG waves observed in preterm infants. In the δnewborn-band the peak magnitude coherence decreases with GA and postnatal maturation for all channels. In the θnewborn-band, the peak magnitude coherence decreases with GA for all channels, but increases with postnatal maturation for the frontal polar channels. In the βnewborn-band a modest magnitude coherence peak was observed in the occipital channels, which decreases with GA.ConclusionsInterhemispherical connectivity develops analogously with electrocortical maturation: signal intensities at low frequencies decrease with GA and postnatal maturation, but increase at high frequencies with postnatal maturation. In addition, peak magnitude coherence is a clear trend indicator for brain maturation.SignificanceCoherence analysis can aid in the clinical assessment of the functional connectivity of the infant brain with maturation.