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Use of complex visual stimuli allows controlled recruitment of cortical networks in infants

Eero Ahtola1, Susanna Stjerna2, Anton Tokariev3

  • 1BABA Center and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland.

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|May 29, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that patterned visual stimuli activate extensive infant cortical networks. The strength of these networks, particularly for global form, correlates with later cognitive development, suggesting a tool for early assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Visual Processing

Background:

  • Infant visual processing is crucial for cognitive development.
  • Understanding early cortical network activation by visual stimuli is limited.
  • Developing reliable methods for assessing infant visual function is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize cortical networks activated by patterned visual stimuli in infants.
  • To evaluate these networks for assessing visual processing.
  • To explore associations between network activity and neurocognitive development.

Main Methods:

  • Five-month-old infants (N=26) were presented with orientation reversal (OR), global form (GF), and global motion (GM) visual stimuli.
  • Eye tracking guided stimulation and epoch selection.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded visual responses, analyzed in source space using weighted phase lag index for network connectivity.

Main Results:

  • All stimuli elicited responses in nearly all infants.
  • Stimuli activated condition-specific cortical networks.
  • Global form and global motion stimuli recruited wider networks than orientation reversal.
  • Global form network strength positively associated with later cognitive performance.

Conclusions:

  • Visual stimulation recruits large-scale, condition-specific cortical networks beyond traditional visual streams.
  • This approach offers a promising method for early assessment of visual processing and related cognitive functions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Brain connectivityFunctional networksInfantNeurodevelopmentVisual evoked responseVisual system

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