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Updated: Feb 10, 2026
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Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
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Quantifying Cortical Maturational Aspects During Different Vigilance States in Preterm Infants by Advanced EEG
Gaia Burlando1, Sara Uccella2,3, Valentina Marazzotta3
1Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Journal of Sleep Research
|February 9, 2026
Summary
Early electroencephalographic (EEG) markers are needed for preterm infant neurodevelopment. This study identified neuronal dynamics during sleep and wakefulness that indicate cortical maturation in very low birth weight infants.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Preterm birth is a major risk factor for atypical neurodevelopment, necessitating early predictive markers.
- Current electrophysiological markers for brain maturation in preterm infants are limited.
- Non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) offers potential for monitoring cortical maturation but faces technical and expertise challenges in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize large-scale neuronal dynamics during distinct vigilance states in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.
- To test if these neuronal dynamics serve as indicators of early cortical maturation.
- To identify potential novel biomarkers for neurodevelopmental monitoring in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of video-polysomnographic EEG recordings from VLBW preterm infants ( < 1500g).
- Assessment of phase synchronisation, neuronal bistability, and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) during active sleep (AS), sleep onset active sleep (SOAS), quiet sleep (QS), and quiet wakefulness (QW).
- Correlation of neuronal dynamics with postmenstrual age (PMA) at recording (33.9 ± 1.4 weeks).
Main Results:
- Phase synchronisation varied by frequency band and vigilance state (δ-band in QS, θ-band in active states).
- δ-band bistability and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) showed regional differences (posteriorly lower) and decreased with advancing PMA.
- Vigilance-state-dependent neuronal dynamics captured aspects of early cortical maturation, even with low-density EEG.
Conclusions:
- Vigilance-state-dependent neuronal dynamics are sensitive indicators of early cortical maturation in preterm infants.
- These dynamics, including phase synchronisation, bistability, and PAC, show developmental trajectories related to PMA.
- Novel candidate biomarkers for monitoring neurodevelopment in preterm infants can be derived from EEG, even with simplified cap setups.
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