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Mehrkanoon S, Boashash B, Colditz P. Identifying Emergent Mesoscopic-Macroscopic Functional Brain Network Dynamics in Infants at Term-Equivalent Age with Electric Source Neuroimaging. Brain Connect 2021; 11:663-677. [PMID: 33764807 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2020.0965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To identify and characterize the functional brain networks at the time when the brain is yet to develop higher order functions in term-born and preterm infants at term-equivalent age. Introduction: Although functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data have revealed the existence of spatially structured resting-state brain activity in infants, the temporal information of fMRI data limits the characterization of fast timescale brain oscillations. In this study, we use infants' high-density electroencephalography (EEG) to characterize spatiotemporal and spectral functional organizations of brain network dynamics. Methods: We used source-reconstructed EEG and graph theoretical analyses in 100 infants (84 preterm, 16 term born) to identify the rich-club topological organization, temporal dynamics, and spectral fingerprints of dynamic functional brain networks. Results: Five dynamic functional brain networks are identified, which have rich-club topological organizations, distinctive spectral fingerprints (in the delta and low-alpha frequency), and scale-invariant temporal dynamics (<0.1 Hz): The default mode, primary sensory-limbic system, thalamo-frontal, thalamo-sensorimotor, and visual-limbic system. The temporal dynamics of these networks are correlated in a hierarchically leading-following organization, showing that infant brain networks arise from long-range synchronization of band-limited cortical oscillation based on interacting fast- and slow-coherent cortical oscillations. Conclusion: Dynamic functional brain networks do not solely depend on the maturation of cognitive networks; instead, the brain network dynamics exist in infants at term age well before the childhood and adulthood, and hence, it offers a quantitative measurement of neurotypical development in infants. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12615000591550. Impact statement Our work offers novel functional insights into the brain network characterization in infants, providing a new functional basis for future deployable prognostication approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Mehrkanoon
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,University of Queensland Perinatal Research Centre, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Boualem Boashash
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul Colditz
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,University of Queensland Perinatal Research Centre, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
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