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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
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Neural processing of auditory temporal modulations in awake infants
Irene Lorenzini1, Pierre Labendzki1, Clémence Basire1
1Université Paris Cité, INCC UMR 8002, CNRS, F-75006 Paris, France.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|September 29, 2023
Summary
The amplitude modulation following response (AMFR) was recorded in awake infants and adults. While responses to slow amplitude modulation were present at all ages, faster modulation processing developed by adulthood, indicating maturational changes in auditory processing.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
Background:
- The amplitude modulation following response (AMFR) reflects auditory phase-locking to amplitude-modulated stimuli.
- Previous AMFR studies in infants were limited to sleep states and did not explore slow modulation rates crucial for speech.
- Understanding AMFR development in awake infants is essential for assessing auditory processing maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of AMFR in awake 3- and 10-month-old infants and awake adults.
- To assess AMFR to both slow (8 Hz) and faster (40 Hz) amplitude modulation rates.
- To determine if sleep state influences AMFR recordings.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record the AMFR.
- Participants included awake 3-month-olds, 10-month-olds, and young adults.
- Stimuli featured amplitude modulation at 8 Hz and 40 Hz.
Main Results:
- AMFR was observable at 8 Hz in all age groups (3-month-olds, 10-month-olds, and adults).
- Reliable AMFR to 40 Hz modulation was only observed in adults, not in infants.
- The presence of AMFR in awake adults confirmed sleep does not suppress the response.
Conclusions:
- Auditory phase-locking to slow amplitude modulation is present from early infancy.
- Processing of faster amplitude modulation rates matures into adulthood.
- Developmental differences in neural processing underlie the maturation of AMFR to faster modulation rates.
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