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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Localizing cortical sources of event-related potentials in infants' covert orienting
1Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. richards-john@sc.edu
Insights
Infant visual attention develops significantly between 14 and 20 weeks. Cortical source analysis reveals specific brain regions, including Brodmann
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Covert orienting, the ability to shift attention without moving the eyes, is crucial for infant development.
- Understanding the neural basis of early attention is key to identifying developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural sources of event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with covert orienting in 14- and 20-week-old infants.
- To examine developmental changes in these neural sources between 14 and 20 weeks of age.
Main Methods:
- High-density electroencephalography (EEG) with 126 channels was employed during a spatial cueing task.
- Cortical source analysis, including independent component analysis and equivalent current dipole analysis, was used to localize ERP sources.
- Behavioral reaction times were measured to assess attentional facilitation.
Main Results:
- Infants showed response facilitation in valid cue trials, indicating successful attentional orienting.
- A significant P1 event-related potential (ERP) validity effect was observed, larger for valid trials.
- Cortical source analysis localized the P1 validity effect to Brodmann's areas 18 and 19.
- A presaccadic ERP component, originating from the superior frontal gyrus, was identified and showed increased amplitude with age.
- Developmental increases in P1 and presaccadic ERP amplitudes correlated with increased activation in identified cortical areas.
Conclusions:
- The study identified specific cortical sources, including visual areas (Brodmann's 18/19) and the prefrontal cortex, underlying covert orienting in early infancy.
- Evidence suggests maturational changes in these neural networks between 14 and 20 weeks, supporting the development of attentional control.
- These findings provide crucial insights into the neurodevelopment of visual attention in human infants.
Abstract:
This study used cortical source analysis to locate potential cortical sources of event-related potentials (ERPs) during covert orienting in infants aged 14 and 20 weeks. The infants were tested in a spatial cueing procedure. The reaction time to localize the target showed response facilitation for valid trials relative to invalid or neutral trials. High-density EEG (126 channels) was recorded during the task, and independent component analysis and equivalent current dipole analysis was used to estimate the cortical sources of the EEG during the task. There was a larger P1 ERP component on the valid trials than the other trials (P1 validity effect). The cortical source analysis suggested that this occurred due to activity in Brodmann's areas 18 and 19. A presaccadic ERP component occurred over the frontal scalp areas (-65 ms) and was larger to a target in a cued location than in uncued locations. A potential cortical source for this ERP component was the superior frontal gyrus on the inferior portion of the prefrontal cortex. Increases from 14 to 20 weeks in amplitude of the P1 validity effect and the presaccadic ERP could be modeled by an increase in activation in the corresponding cortical areas.
