Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells NPCs
Published on: March 2, 2018
Aperiodic electrophysiological activity in preterm infants is linked to subsequent autism risk
Lauren C Shuffrey1,2, Nicolò Pini1,2, Mandy Potter3
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Insights
Aperiodic activity in infant EEG may predict autism risk in preterm infants. This study found no link between EEG and later cognitive development, highlighting new research avenues for early autism detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Preterm infants face higher autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risks.
- Identifying early neurodevelopmental markers in preterm infants is crucial.
- Current research on predictive markers for ASD in preterm infants is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electroencephalography (EEG) parameters as potential early markers for autism risk in preterm infants.
- To examine the association between infant EEG activity and later autism risk and cognitive ability.
- To explore aperiodic EEG activity and power spectral density (PSD) slope in relation to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-one preterm infants (25–36 weeks gestation) underwent EEG during sleep (39–41 weeks postmenstrual age).
- EEG parameters included absolute power and PSD slope (aperiodic activity).
- Cognitive and social-emotional development were assessed at ~3 years using Bayley Scales and BITSEA.
Main Results:
- Aperiodic EEG activity at multiple electrode sites was associated with increased autism risk at three years.
- Rhythmic oscillatory activity, PSD slope, and absolute EEG power were not linked to autism risk.
- No EEG parameters predicted cognitive development outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Infant EEG's aperiodic activity shows potential as a predictive marker for autism risk in preterm populations.
- This finding suggests focusing on specific EEG patterns beyond traditional rhythmic activity for early ASD detection.
- Further research is needed to validate these markers in diverse, high-risk infant groups.
Abstract:
Approximately 7% of preterm infants receive an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Yet, there is a significant gap in the literature in identifying prospective markers of neurodevelopmental risk in preterm infants. The present study examined two electroencephalography (EEG) parameters during infancy, absolute EEG power and aperiodic activity of the power spectral density (PSD) slope, in association with subsequent autism risk and cognitive ability in a diverse cohort of children born preterm in South Africa. Participants were 71 preterm infants born between 25 and 36 weeks gestation (34.60 ± 2.34 weeks). EEG was collected during sleep between 39 and 41 weeks postmenstrual age adjusted (40.00 ± 0.42 weeks). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) were administered at approximately 3 years of age adjusted (34 ± 2.7 months). Aperiodic activity, but not the rhythmic oscillatory activity, at multiple electrode sites was associated with subsequent increased autism risk on the BITSEA at three years of age. No associations were found between the PSD slope or absolute EEG power and cognitive development. Our findings highlight the need to examine potential markers of subsequent autism risk in high-risk populations other than infants at familial risk.
