Electroencephalographic coherence abnormalities in preterm diplegia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Preterm birth is a leading cause of neurological impairments in children.
• Spastic diplegia (SD) and visuoperceptual deficits are common sequelae of preterm birth.
• The underlying neurophysiological mechanisms in these children remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power density, interhemispheric (ICoh), and intrahemispheric (HCoh) coherence in children with preterm-birth-related SD and visuoperceptual impairments.
• To compare these EEG measures between SD children and typically developing children.
• To explore the relationship between EEG findings, callosal anatomy, and visuoperceptual abilities.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of EEG spectral power density, ICoh, and HCoh in 12 patients with SD and visuoperceptual impairments compared to controls.
• Analysis of coherence asymmetry between cerebral hemispheres.
• Application of discriminant analysis for group classification.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in EEG spectral power density were observed between groups.
• The SD group exhibited lower occipital ICoh in the alpha band and higher frontal ICoh in the theta band.
• Higher HCoh in the SD group was noted in the left hemisphere across delta, theta, and beta bands, with reduced hemispheric asymmetry compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Neurophysiological abnormalities, including altered brainwave coherence, are present in preterm SD children.
• These EEG findings may reflect underlying callosal thinning and contribute to visuoperceptual impairments.
• EEG coherence analysis shows potential for differentiating children with preterm-induced SD and associated deficits.