Frequency domain analyses of neonatal flash VEP

Abstract

A battery of frequency-dependent measures was made for high-density electroencephalographic recording measured in response to a flash stimulus in 12 normal term infants within 2 d of birth. Significant changes recorded in posterior electrodes in the same time window as the visual evoked potential (VEP) included increased local synchrony at ∼40 Hz, increased power at ∼16 Hz, the emergence of nonlinear coupling of lower (∼2 Hz) and higher frequency oscillations, and phase locking over a wide range of frequencies. This research provides evidence of neural synchrony and nonlinear coupling in response to a simple visual stimulus. These mechanisms are functional in early development. It is proposed that the frequency domain metrics of this study may augment current diagnostic measures of cortical function at birth. © International Pediatrics Research Foundation, Inc. 2007. All Rights Reserved.