Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Cortical Source Analysis of High-Density EEG Recordings in Children
Published on: June 30, 2014
Development of infant sustained attention and its relation to EEG oscillations: an EEG and cortical source analysis
Wanze Xie1,2, Brittany M Mallin3, John E Richards1,2
1Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Insights
Infant sustained attention is linked to brainwave activity, specifically theta synchronization and alpha desynchronization, in older infants (10-12 months). These EEG changes are localized to specific brain regions involved in attention and cognitive networks.
Area of Science:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Sustained attention is a crucial cognitive skill developing throughout infancy.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of infant attention, particularly using electroencephalography (EEG), is vital for tracking cognitive development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infant sustained attention and EEG oscillations.
- To identify specific EEG frequency bands and brain regions associated with sustained attention in infants aged 6 to 12 months.
Main Methods:
- Tested 59 infants at 6, 8, 10, and 12 months of age.
- Defined attention phases (orienting, sustained, termination) using heart rate changes.
- Analyzed EEG theta, alpha, and beta rhythms, performing cortical source analysis with infant MRI models.
Main Results:
- Theta synchronization observed over frontal, temporal, and parietal areas in 10- and 12-month-olds during sustained attention.
- Alpha desynchronization emerged at 10 months and was established by 12 months over frontal, central, and parietal areas.
- Localized theta synchronization to orbital frontal and temporal regions; alpha desynchronization to default mode network and sensorimotor areas.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a clear link between infant sustained attention and specific EEG oscillatory patterns (theta and alpha).
- Identified age-related changes in EEG activity associated with sustained attention, particularly the emergence of alpha desynchronization.
- Provided insights into the neural networks supporting sustained attention in early development.
Abstract:
The current study examined the relation between infant sustained attention and infant EEG oscillations. Fifty-nine infants were tested at 6 (N = 15), 8 (N = 17), 10 (N = 14), and 12 (N = 13) months. Three attention phases, stimulus orienting, sustained attention, and attention termination, were defined based on infants' heart rate changes. Frequency analysis using simultaneously recorded EEG focused on infant theta (2-6 Hz), alpha (6-9 Hz), and beta (9-14 Hz) rhythms. Cortical source analysis of EEG oscillations was conducted with realistic infant MRI models. Theta synchronization was found over fontal pole, temporal, and parietal electrodes during infant sustained attention for 10 and 12 months. Alpha desynchronization was found over frontal, central and parietal electrodes during sustained attention. This alpha effect started to emerge at 10 months and became well established by 12 months. No difference was found for the beta rhythm between different attention phases. The theta synchronization effect was localized to the orbital frontal, temporal pole, and ventral temporal areas. The alpha desynchronization effect was localized to the brain regions composing the default mode network including the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, medial prefrontal cortex, and inferior parietal gyrus. The alpha desynchronization effect was also localized to the pre- and post-central gyri. The present study demonstrates a connection between infant sustained attention and EEG oscillatory activities.
Related Concept Videos
01:30States of Arousal During Infancy
01:29Hearing During Infancy and Toddlerhood
01:21Cognitive Neuroscience Approach