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Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Statistical Modelling of Cortical Connectivity Using Non-invasive Electroencephalograms
Published on: November 1, 2019
Functional connectivity in preterm infants derived from EEG coherence analysis
E J Meijer1, K H M Hermans2, A Zwanenburg3
1Clinical Physics, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Objective:
To quantify the neuronal connectivity in preterm infants between homologous channels of both hemispheres.
Methods:
EEG 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.
Results:
All 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.
Conclusions:
Interhemispherical 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.
Significance:
Coherence analysis can aid in the clinical assessment of the functional connectivity of the infant brain with maturation.
