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Lack of association between behavioral development and simplified topographical markers of the sleep EEG in infancy

Matthieu Beaugrand1, Valeria Jaramillo2, Andjela Markovic1,3

  • 1University of Fribourg, Department of Psychology, Fribourg, Switzerland.

Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
|July 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sleep EEG markers in infants did not predict later behavioral development. Further research is needed to understand the predictive value of sleep patterns for neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep electroencephalography (EEG) reflects brain development and neuronal connectivity.
  • Slow-wave activity (SWA) distribution in sleep EEG shifts during childhood, but its predictive value in infancy is unknown.
  • Infant sleep EEG markers may offer insights into neurodevelopmental trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between topographical sleep EEG markers in 6-month-old infants and their subsequent behavioral development.
  • To identify potential early indicators of neurodevelopment from sleep patterns.
  • To assess the predictive validity of infant sleep EEG markers for behavioral outcomes up to 24 months.

Main Methods:

  • High-density EEG recordings were obtained from 31 infants (15 female) during nighttime sleep at 6 months of age.
  • Sleep EEG markers were derived from the topographical distribution of slow-wave activity (SWA) and theta power.
  • Linear models analyzed associations between EEG markers and parent-reported behavioral scores (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

Main Results:

  • No significant associations were found between the analyzed topographical sleep EEG markers in infancy and behavioral development at any assessed age.
  • Infant sleep EEG power distribution did not demonstrate predictive value for concurrent or later behavioral outcomes.
  • The study did not identify reliable sleep EEG markers for predicting neurodevelopmental trajectories in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Topographical markers of sleep EEG power in 6-month-old infants are not significantly linked to behavioral development up to 24 months.
  • Longitudinal studies, including newborns and longer follow-up periods, are necessary to explore the predictive value of sleep EEG for neurodevelopment.
  • Further research is required to establish reliable sleep EEG indicators for individual differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Keywords:
Behavioural outcomesBiomarkersHigh-density EEGIndividual differencesNeuronal ConnectivityNewborns

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