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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities
Published on: January 29, 2014
A magnetoencephalographic study on development of the somatosensory cortex in infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
Insights
Infant brain development shows a growing connection between touch (somatosensory input) and movement (motor skills). This study observed increased brain signal correlations as infants matured, supporting a sensori-motor link.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Understanding infant sensori-motor development is crucial for identifying developmental milestones.
- The relationship between sensory processing and motor control in early development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensori-motor correlation in infants during development.
- To analyze changes in somatosensory evoked magnetic fields in relation to motor skill progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 37-channel magnetoencephalograph (MEG) to record brain activity.
- Applied tactile air-tapping stimulation to the right thumb of 12 healthy infants.
- Examined infants at both palmar grasp and pincers grasp developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct components (W1-3) in the somatosensory evoked magnetic fields, with W3 being most prominent (approx. 100 ms latency).
- Observed an increase in the correlation coefficient and amplitude of the W3 equivalent current dipole as infants matured.
- These changes correlated with advancements in motor development.
Conclusions:
- Developmental increases in cortical stability and reproducibility may underlie observed changes in somatosensory processing.
- The findings support the presence of a significant sensori-motor correlation during infant development.
- This research provides insights into the neural mechanisms of early motor and sensory integration.
Abstract:
In order to examine the sensori-motor correlation in infants, we recorded the somatosensory evoked magnetic fields to tactile stimulation by using a 37-channel magnetoencephalograph. Twelve healthy infants were examined at palmar grasp stage and pincers grasp stage. Air-tapping stimulation of the right thumb was performed. Three distinct components (W1-3) emerged, W3, with a latency of approximately 100 ms, being the most prominent. As infants grew up, the correlation coefficient and the amplitude of the equivalent current dipole of W3 for the thumb increased. These developmental changes may be attributable to increases in the stability and reproducibility of the cortex in response to somesthetic inputs. Moreover, this change along with motor development supports the presence of a sensori-motor correlation in infants.
