The interrelation between sensorimotor abilities, cognitive performance and individual EEG alpha peak frequency in...

Area of Science:

• Developmental neuroscience
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• The individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF) is an EEG marker reflecting global brain structure and function.
• Understanding the interplay between sensorimotor abilities, cognitive performance, and iAPF is crucial for comprehending brain development in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between sensorimotor skills, cognitive performance, and iAPF in healthy preschool children.
• To determine if iAPF is associated with cognitive functions like processing speed and visual working memory in this age group.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) recording to measure iAPF.
• Cognitive assessments for processing speed and visual working memory.
• Sensorimotor test battery to evaluate motor skills.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations were found between sensorimotor abilities and iAPF, particularly with locomotor skills across most cortical regions.
• No significant correlations were observed between iAPF and cognitive performance (processing speed, visual working memory).
• A strong association was identified between sensorimotor and cognitive performance, with better motor skills linked to improved cognitive task performance.

Conclusions:

• In contrast to adults, iAPF in young children is linked to locomotor skills, not cognitive functions.
• Brain's global architecture and function are closely tied to locomotor skills during development.
• The relationship between sensorimotor and cognitive performance in children is distinct from iAPF.