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Updated: Jul 21, 2026
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Comparison of reflex modification procedures and auditory brainstem response in high-risk neonates
E K Anday1, M E Cohen, H S Hoffman
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Insights
This study compared reflex modification (RM) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in high-risk infants. Findings suggest shared neural pathways between startle response and auditory processing, aiding in infant neurodevelopment assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Assessing brainstem sensorineural processing in high-risk infants is crucial.
- Objective techniques are needed for reliable neurodevelopmental evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare reflex modification (RM) with auditory brainstem response (ABR) in high-risk infants.
- To investigate shared neural mechanisms between startle response and auditory processing.
Main Methods:
- 37 high-risk infants were tested using both RM and ABR.
- RM involved eyeblink-eliciting glabella taps, with and without a 90dB SPL tone.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used as a comparative measure.
Main Results:
- Seven infants failed ABR (increased brainstem conduction time).
- Eight infants failed RM (no significant reflex augmentation).
- Seven of the infants who failed RM also failed ABR.
Conclusions:
- Sensory stimuli impacting startle response and auditory processing share neural components.
- RM shows potential as an objective measure for brainstem processing in infants.
- These findings contribute to understanding neurodevelopmental pathways in high-risk infants.
Abstract:
This study compared the results of reflex modification (RM)--an objective technique for assessing brainstem sensorineural processing--with those of auditory brainstem response (ABR) for a group of high-risk infants at comparable postconceptional ages. For the RM procedure, an eyeblink-eliciting tap to the glabella was presented either alone or accompanied by a brief 90dB SPL tone. 37 high-risk infants were tested with both RM and ABR at a mean postconceptional age of 37.3 weeks. Seven had an increased brainstem conduction time ('failed ABR') and eight did not exhibit significant reflex augmentation ('failed RM'), seven of whom also failed the ABR. These data provide evidence that sensory stimuli which affect the neural mechanisms responsible for the organization of the startle response and auditory processing share essential neural components.
