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Fitzgerald PJ. Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Its Modulation by Monoaminergic Neurotransmitters in Depression. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 22:405-415. [PMID: 39069680 PMCID: PMC11289606 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.23.1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is an electroencephalography (EEG) measure that quantifies trait-like left versus right hemisphere lateralization in alpha power. Increased FAA indicates relatively greater left than right frontal cortex activation and is associated with enhanced reward-related approach behaviors rather than avoidance or withdrawal. Studies dating back several decades have often suggested that having greater FAA supports enhanced positive affect and protection against major depressive disorder (MDD), whereas having greater right frontal activation (i.e., reduced FAA) is associated with negative affect and risk for MDD. While this hypothesis is widely known, a number of other studies instead have found increased FAA in MDD, or evidence that either leftward or rightward bias in FAA is associated with depression. Here we briefly review the literature on leftward or rightward lateralization in FAA in MDD, and find much evidence that MDD is not always characterized by reduced FAA. We also review the limited literature on FAA and monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, including pharmacologic agents that act on them. Studies of serotonin in particular provide genetic and pharmacologic evidence for modulation of FAA, where some of these data may suggest that serotonin reduces FAA. In a synthesis of the collective literature on FAA and the monoamines, we suggest that serotonin and norepinephrine may differentially affect FAA, with serotonin tending to promote right frontal activation and norepinephrine biased toward left frontal activation. These putative differences in frontal lateralization may influence MDD phenotypes or potential subtypes of the disorder, and suggest pharmacologic treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Fitzgerald
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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2
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Brandes-Aitken A, Hume A, Braren S, Werchan D, Zhang M, Brito NH. Maternal heart rate variability at 3-months postpartum is associated with maternal mental health and infant neurophysiology. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18766. [PMID: 39138268 PMCID: PMC11322169 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68398-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated a critical link between maternal mental health and infant development. However, there is limited understanding of the role of autonomic regulation in postpartum maternal mental health and infant outcomes. In the current study, we tested 76 mother-infant dyads from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds when infants were 3-months of age. We recorded simultaneous ECG from dyads while baseline EEG was collected from the infant; ECG heart rate variability (HRV) and EEG theta-beta ratio and alpha asymmetry were calculated. Dyadic physiological synchrony was also analyzed to better understand the role of autonomic co-regulation. Results demonstrated that lower maternal HRV was associated with higher self-reported maternal depression and anxiety. Additionally, mothers with lower HRV had infants with lower HRV. Maternal HRV was also associated with higher infant theta-beta ratios, but not alpha asymmetry. Exploratory analyses suggested that for mother-infant dyads with greater physiological synchrony, higher maternal HRV predicted increased infant theta-beta ratio via infant HRV. These findings support a model in which maternal mental health may influence infant neurophysiology via alterations in autonomic stress regulation and dyadic physiological co-regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Brandes-Aitken
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA.
| | - Amy Hume
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Stephen Braren
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Denise Werchan
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maggie Zhang
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Natalie H Brito
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, 10012, USA
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3
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Constant-Varlet C, Nakai T, Prado J. Intergenerational transmission of brain structure and function in humans: a narrative review of designs, methods, and findings. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:1327-1348. [PMID: 38710874 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Children often show cognitive and affective traits that are similar to their parents. Although this indicates a transmission of phenotypes from parents to children, little is known about the neural underpinnings of that transmission. Here, we provide a general overview of neuroimaging studies that explore the similarity between parents and children in terms of brain structure and function. We notably discuss the aims, designs, and methods of these so-called intergenerational neuroimaging studies, focusing on two main designs: the parent-child design and the multigenerational design. For each design, we also summarize the major findings, identify the sources of variability between studies, and highlight some limitations and future directions. We argue that the lack of consensus in defining the parent-child transmission of brain structure and function leads to measurement heterogeneity, which is a challenge for future studies. Additionally, multigenerational studies often use measures of family resemblance to estimate the proportion of variance attributed to genetic versus environmental factors, though this estimate is likely inflated given the frequent lack of control for shared environment. Nonetheless, intergenerational neuroimaging studies may still have both clinical and theoretical relevance, not because they currently inform about the etiology of neuromarkers, but rather because they may help identify neuromarkers and test hypotheses about neuromarkers coming from more standard neuroimaging designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Constant-Varlet
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL), INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Université de Lyon, Bron, France.
| | - Tomoya Nakai
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL), INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Université de Lyon, Bron, France
- Araya Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jérôme Prado
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CRNL), INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Université de Lyon, Bron, France.
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4
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Hernandez A, Sania A, Bowers ME, Leach SC, McSweeney M, Yoder L, Fifer W, Elliott AJ, Shuffrey L, Rauh V, Him DA, Fox NA, Morales S. Examining the impact of prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms and socioeconomic status on children's frontal alpha asymmetry and psychopathology. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22476. [PMID: 38433442 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology (depression and anxiety) and socioeconomic status (SES) have been independently associated with higher risk for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. However, the pathways behind these associations are not well understood. Numerous studies have linked greater right frontal alpha asymmetry to internalizing problems; however, findings have been mixed. Several studies have also linked maternal internalizing psychopathology to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. Additionally, emerging studies have linked SES to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. To date, only a limited number of studies have examined these associations within a longitudinal design, and the majority have utilized relatively small samples. The current preregistered study utilizes data from a large prospective study of young children (N = 415; Meanage = 7.27 years; Rangeage = 5-11 years) to examine the association between prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms, children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and behavior problems. Prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms did not predict children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and there was no association between frontal alpha asymmetry and behavior problems. However, mothers' internalizing symptoms during pregnancy predicted children's internalizing and externalizing outcomes. Non-preregistered analyses showed that lower prenatal maternal SES predicted greater child right frontal alpha asymmetry and internalizing problems. Additional non-preregistered analyses did not find evidence for frontal alpha asymmetry as a moderator of the relation between prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology and SES to children's behavior problems. Future research should examine the impact of SES on children's frontal alpha asymmetry in high-risk samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Hernandez
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ayesha Sania
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maureen E Bowers
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie C Leach
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Marco McSweeney
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Lydia Yoder
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - William Fifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy J Elliott
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Lauren Shuffrey
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Santiago Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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5
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Neo WS, Foti D, Keehn B, Kelleher B. Resting-state EEG power differences in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:389. [PMID: 38097538 PMCID: PMC10721649 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02681-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Narrative reviews have described various resting-state EEG power differences in autism across all five canonical frequency bands, with increased power for low and high frequencies and reduced power for middle frequencies. However, these differences have yet to be quantified using effect sizes and probed robustly for consistency, which are critical next steps for clinical translation. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of published and gray literature on resting-state EEG power in autism. We performed 10 meta-analyses to synthesize and quantify differences in absolute and relative resting-state delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma EEG power in autism. We also conducted moderator analyses to determine whether demographic characteristics, methodological details, and risk-of-bias indicators might account for heterogeneous study effect sizes. Our literature search and study selection processes yielded 41 studies involving 1,246 autistic and 1,455 neurotypical individuals. Meta-analytic models of 135 effect sizes demonstrated that autistic individuals exhibited reduced relative alpha (g = -0.35) and increased gamma (absolute: g = 0.37, relative: g = 1.06) power, but similar delta (absolute: g = 0.06, relative: g = 0.10), theta (absolute: g = -0.03, relative: g = -0.15), absolute alpha (g = -0.17), and beta (absolute: g = 0.01, relative: g = 0.08) power. Substantial heterogeneity in effect sizes was observed across all absolute (I2: 36.1-81.9%) and relative (I2: 64.6-84.4%) frequency bands. Moderator analyses revealed that age, biological sex, IQ, referencing scheme, epoch duration, and use of gold-standard autism diagnostic instruments did not moderate study effect sizes. In contrast, resting-state paradigm type (eyes-closed versus eyes-open) moderated absolute beta, relative delta, and relative alpha power effect sizes, and resting-state recording duration moderated relative alpha power effect sizes. These findings support further investigation of resting-state alpha and gamma power as potential biomarkers for autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Siong Neo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Dan Foti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Brandon Keehn
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Bridgette Kelleher
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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6
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Monni A, Collison KL, Hill KE, Oumeziane BA, Foti D. The novel frontal alpha asymmetry factor and its association with depression, anxiety, and personality traits. Psychophysiology 2022; 59:e14109. [PMID: 35616309 PMCID: PMC9532346 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is widely examined in EEG research, yet a procedural consensus on its assessment is lacking. In this study, we tested a latent factorial approach to measure FAA. We assessed resting-state FAA at broad, low, and high alpha bands (8-13; 8-10.5; and 11-13 Hz) using mastoids as reference electrodes and Current Source Density (CSD) transformation (N = 139 non-clinical participants). From mastoid-referenced data, we extracted a frontal alpha asymmetry factor (FAAf) and a parietal factor (PAAf) subjecting all asymmetry indices to a varimax-rotated, principal component analysis. We explored split-half reliability and discriminant validity of the mastoid factors and the mastoid and CSD raw asymmetry indices (F3/4, F7/8, P3/4, and P7/8). Both factor and raw scores reached an excellent split-half reliability (>.99), but only the FAAf reached the maximum discriminant validity from parietal scores. Next, we explored the correlations of latent factor and raw FAA scores with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and personality traits to determine which associations were driven by FAA after variance from parietal activity was removed. After correcting for false discovery rate, only FAAf at the low alpha band was negatively associated with depression symptoms (a latent CES-D factor) and significantly diverged from PAAf's association with depression symptoms. With respect to personality traits, only CSD-transformed F7/8 was positively correlated with Conscientiousness and significantly diverged from the correlations between Conscientiousness and P3/4 and P7/8. Overall, the latent factor approach shows promise for isolating functionally distinct resting-state EEG signatures, although further research is needed to examine construct validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Monni
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Kaylin E. Hill
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Belel Ait Oumeziane
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Dan Foti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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7
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Turk E, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Feldman R, van den Heuvel MI, Levy J. Brains in Sync: Practical Guideline for Parent-Infant EEG During Natural Interaction. Front Psychol 2022; 13:833112. [PMID: 35572249 PMCID: PMC9093685 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.833112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parent-infant EEG is a novel hyperscanning paradigm to measure social interaction simultaneously in the brains of parents and infants. The number of studies using parent-infant dual-EEG as a theoretical framework to measure brain-to-brain synchrony during interaction is rapidly growing, while the methodology for measuring synchrony is not yet uniform. While adult dual-EEG methodology is quickly improving, open databases, tutorials, and methodological validations for dual-EEG with infants are largely missing. In this practical guide, we provide a step-by-step manual on how to implement and run parent-infant EEG paradigms in a neurodevelopmental laboratory in naturalistic settings (e.g., free interactions). Next, we highlight insights on the variety of choices that can be made during (pre)processing dual-EEG data, including recommendations on interpersonal neural coupling metrics and interpretations of the results. Moreover, we provide an exemplar dataset of two mother-infant dyads during free interactions ("free play") that may serve as practice material. Instead of providing a critical note, we would like to move the field of parent-infant EEG forward and be transparent about the challenges that come along with the exciting opportunity to study the development of our social brain within the naturalistic context of dual-EEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Turk
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
| | | | - Jonathan Levy
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
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8
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Karalunas SL, Ostlund BD, Alperin BR, Figuracion M, Gustafsson HC, Deming EM, Foti D, Antovich D, Dude J, Nigg J, Sullivan E. Electroencephalogram aperiodic power spectral slope can be reliably measured and predicts ADHD risk in early development. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22228. [PMID: 35312046 PMCID: PMC9707315 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aperiodic exponent of the electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum has received growing attention as a physiological marker of neurodevelopmental psychopathology, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, its use as a marker of ADHD risk across development, and particularly in very young children, is limited by unknown reliability, difficulty in aligning canonical band-based measures across development periods, and unclear effects of treatment in later development. Here, we investigate the internal consistency of the aperiodic EEG power spectrum slope and its association with ADHD risk in both infants (n = 69, 1-month-old) and adolescents (n = 262, ages 11-17 years). Results confirm good to excellent internal consistency in infancy and adolescence. In infancy, a larger aperiodic exponent was associated with greater family history of ADHD. In contrast, in adolescence, ADHD diagnosis was associated with a smaller aperiodic exponent, but only in children with ADHD who had not received stimulant medication treatment. Results suggest that disruptions in cortical development associated with ADHD risk may be detectable shortly after birth via this approach. Together, findings imply a dynamic developmental shift in which the developmentally normative flattening of the EEG power spectrum is exaggerated in ADHD, potentially reflecting imbalances in cortical excitation and inhibition that could contribute to long-lasting differences in brain connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dan Foti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
| | - Dylan Antovich
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University
| | - Jason Dude
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University
| | - Joel Nigg
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University
| | - Elinor Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University
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9
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Turk E, Vroomen J, Fonken Y, Levy J, van den Heuvel MI. In sync with your child: The potential of parent-child electroencephalography in developmental research. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22221. [PMID: 35312051 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Healthy interaction between parent and child is foundational for the child's socioemotional development. Recently, an innovative paradigm shift in electroencephalography (EEG) research has enabled the simultaneous measurement of neural activity in caregiver and child. This dual-EEG or hyperscanning approach, termed parent-child dual-EEG, combines the strength of both behavioral observations and EEG methods. In this review, we aim to inform on the potential of dual-EEG in parents and children (0-6 years) for developmental researchers. We first provide a general overview of the dual-EEG technique and continue by reviewing the first empirical work on the emerging field of parent-child dual-EEG, discussing the limited but fascinating findings on parent-child brain-to-behavior and brain-to-brain synchrony. We then continue by providing an overview of dual-EEG analysis techniques, including the technical challenges and solutions one may encounter. We finish by discussing the potential of parent-child dual-EEG for the future of developmental research. The analysis of multiple EEG data is technical and challenging, but when performed well, parent-child EEG may transform the way we understand how caregiver and child connect on a neurobiological level. Importantly, studying objective physiological measures of parent-child interactions could lead to the identification of novel brain-to-brain synchrony markers of interaction quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Turk
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Vroomen
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Fonken
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Levy
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC), Herzliya, Israel.,Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland
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10
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Hill KE, Neo WS, Deming E, Hamrick LR, Kelleher BL, Foti D. Mother-infant convergence of event-related potentials elicited by face and object processing. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22211. [PMID: 34813105 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Prior work has provided conceptual support for developmental changes in face and object processing, such that: face processing, as captured by the N290 event-related potential (ERP) component in infancy, may develop into the N170 in adulthood; and motivated attention, as captured by the negative central (Nc) in infancy, may develop into the late positive potential (LPP). The present study examined these neural correlates in 12-month-old infants and their mothers (N = 33 dyads). Dyads completed a viewing task consisting of familiar and novel face and toy stimuli while electroencephalography was recorded. Results suggest that for mothers, the N170 was larger for faces than toys, regardless of familiarity, and the LPP was largest for familiar faces. In infants, the N290 was somewhat larger for faces than toys (p < .10); the Nc did not vary by condition. Adult ERPs demonstrated fair to good reliability; reliability of infant ERPs was lower and was influenced by looking behaviors. Intergenerational associations were strongest between the LPP and Nc, particularly when electrode and time window were taken into account. Refinement of data handling and ERP scoring procedures for infant ERPs are crucial next steps for estimation of intergenerational associations and further examination of developmental changes in face and object processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylin E Hill
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 203 Appleton Place, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Wei Siong Neo
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 W Third St, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Erika Deming
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 W Third St, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Lisa R Hamrick
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 W Third St, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Bridgette L Kelleher
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 W Third St, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Dan Foti
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 W Third St, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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11
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Metzen D, Genç E, Getzmann S, Larra MF, Wascher E, Ocklenburg S. Frontal and parietal EEG alpha asymmetry: a large-scale investigation of short-term reliability on distinct EEG systems. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 227:725-740. [PMID: 34676455 PMCID: PMC8843903 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02399-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
EEG resting-state alpha asymmetry is one of the most widely investigated forms of functional hemispheric asymmetries in both basic and clinical neuroscience. However, studies yield inconsistent results. One crucial prerequisite to obtain reproducible results is the reliability of the index of interest. There is a body of research suggesting a moderate-to-good reliability of EEG resting-state alpha asymmetry, but unfortunately sample sizes in these studies are typically small. This study presents the first large-scale short-term reliability study of frontal and parietal EEG resting-state alpha asymmetry. We used the Dortmund Vital Study data set containing 370 participants. In each participant, EEG resting state was recorded eight times, twice with their eyes opened, twice with their eyes-closed, each on two different EEG systems. We found good reliability of EEG alpha power and alpha asymmetry on both systems for electrode pairs. We also found that alpha power asymmetry reliability is higher in the eyes-closed condition than in the eyes-open condition. The frontomedial electrode pair showed weaker reliability than the frontolateral and parietal electrode pairs. Interestingly, we found no population-level alpha asymmetry in frontal electrodes, one of the most investigated electrode sites in alpha asymmetry research. In conclusion, our results suggest that while EEG alpha asymmetry is an overall reliable measure, frontal alpha asymmetry should be assessed using multiple electrode pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Metzen
- Department of Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Erhan Genç
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephan Getzmann
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mauro F Larra
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Edmund Wascher
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), 44139, Dortmund, Germany
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12
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Anaya B, Ostlund B, LoBue V, Buss K, Pérez-Edgar K. Psychometric properties of infant electroencephalography: Developmental stability, reliability, and construct validity of frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22178. [PMID: 34423429 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) provides developmental neuroscientists a noninvasive view into the neural underpinnings of cognition and emotion. Recently, the psychometric properties of two widely used neural measures in early childhood-frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling-have come under scrutiny. Despite their growing use, additional work examining how the psychometric properties of these neural signatures may change across infancy is needed. The current study examined the developmental stability, split-half reliability, and construct validity of infant frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Infants provided resting-state EEG data at 8, 12, and 18 months of age (N = 213). Frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling showed significant developmental change from 8 to 18 months. Reliability for alpha asymmetry, and alpha, delta, and beta power, individually, was generally good. In contrast, the reliability of delta-beta coupling scores was poor. Associations between frontal alpha asymmetry and approach tendencies generally emerged, whereas stronger (over-coupled) delta-beta coupling scores were associated with profiles of dysregulation and low inhibition. However, the individual associations varied across time and specific measures of interest. We discuss these findings with a developmental lens, highlighting the importance of repeated measures to better understand links between neural signatures and typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Anaya
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan Ostlund
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vanessa LoBue
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kristin Buss
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Koraly Pérez-Edgar
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Affective Cortical Asymmetry at the Early Developmental Emergence of Emotional Expression. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0042-20.2020. [PMID: 32817198 PMCID: PMC7470934 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0042-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotions have an important survival function. Vast amounts of research have demonstrated how affect-related changes in physiology promote survival by effecting short-term and long-term changes in adaptive behavior. However, if emotions truly serve such an inherent function, they should be pervasive across species and be established early in life. Here, using electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity we sought to characterize core neurophysiological features underlying affective function at the emergence of emotional expression [i.e., at the developmental age when human infants start to show reliable stimulus-elicited emotional states (4–6 months)]. Using an approach that eschews traditional EEG frequency band delineations (like theta, alpha), we demonstrate that negative emotional states induce a strong right hemispheric increase in the prominence of the resonant frequency (∼5–6 Hz) in the infant frontal EEG. Increased rightward asymmetry was strongly correlated with increased heart rate responses to emotionally negative states compared with neutral states. We conclude that functional frontal asymmetry is a key component of emotional processing and suggest that the rightward asymmetry in prominence of the resonant frequency during negative emotional states might reflect functional asymmetry in the central representation of anatomically driven asymmetry in the autonomic nervous system. Our findings indicate that the specific mode hallmarking emotional processing in the frontal cortex is established in parallel with the emergence of stable emotional states very early during development, despite the well known protracted maturation of frontal cortex.
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Shankman SA, Kaiser AJE, Shenberger ER. The Importance of Examining Psychometrics of Biomarkers. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:379-380. [PMID: 32273093 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stewart A Shankman
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Ariela J E Kaiser
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elyse R Shenberger
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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