Early development of cortical brain responses in newborns and fetuses – cognitive studies with fetal magnetoencephalography

摘要: During early developmental stages the brain is more vulnerable to physiological insult than mature brain. However, an diagnosis of deficits might enhance chances for successful interventions due high cortical plasticity immature This thesis contains two studies on cognitive development, conducted with a device called fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG). It allows non-invasive recordings responses in utero. Objective: Two study paradigms that assess functioning, such as integrative processes and development speech perception, were applied neonates fetuses. Methods: In 1, visual stimuli (VER) habituation paradigm recorded 25 fetuses (aged between 29 37 weeks gestational age (GA)) 12 newborns 6 22 days). 2, auditory evoked (AER) tone pairs presented 38 GA) 15 2 was difficulties – short long gaps tones. both studies, already participated corresponding antecedent recordings. Results: nine showed response decrement consecutive stimuli, indicating habituation. The remaining three discontinued Early Development 7 early. prenatal VER rate only 29%. But these exhibited well. trend increasing gap pair. revealed single most cases no observed. 76% 86% higher previous studies. Conclusions: Both have been successfully fetuses, fMEG technology. Despite challenges data analysis, investigations help improve future technological advances. Significance: These contribute accurate detection delays subsequent impairments. 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS present at University Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) Little Rock, Arkansas, close collaboration MEG Center Tubingen, Germany. funded by National Institutes Health (NIH). I express deepest thanks my supervisor Dr. Hubert Preissl, who always provided great support encouragement beyond standard requirements. am very grateful people from SARA Lab, continuously offered their personal professional advice patience warmth: Hari Eswaran, Maureen Ware, Pamela Murphy, Joshua Campbell, Isabelle Kiefer, Mike Oglesby, Eric Siegel Curtis Lowery. sincere Karin Landerl Professor Niels Birbaumer support. indebted Rossitza Draganova, helpful advice. 9 Last but not least, thank family friends are there me, inspire or just listen: husband, Jeff Sheridan, parents, Werner Angelika Schaller, friends, Stephanie Bald, Bianca Puppatti, Kirsten Lindner, Yvonne Zahumensky Cornelia Weber. December, 2007 Carolin J. Sheridan 10 -