Phase-Based Cortical Synchrony Is Affected by Prematurity

Inter-areal synchronization by phase-phase correlations (PPCs) of cortical oscillations mediates many higher neurocognitive functions, which are often affected by prematurity, a globally prominent neurodevelopmental risk factor. Here, we used electroencephalography to examine brain-wide cortical PPC networks at term-equivalent age, comparing human infants after early prematurity to a cohort of healthy controls. We found that prematurity affected these networks in a sleep state-specific manner, and the differences between groups were also frequency-selective, involving brain-wide connections. The strength of synchronization in these networks was predictive of clinical outcomes in the preterm infants. These findings show that prematurity affects PPC networks in a clinically significant manner, suggesting early functional biomarkers of later neurodevelopmental compromise that may be used in clinical or translational studies after early neonatal adversity.

Automated summary

Inter-areal synchronization of cortical oscillations by phase-phase correlations (PPCs) plays a crucial role in higher neurocognitive functions. Prematurity affects these PPC networks in a sleep state-specific and frequency-selective manner, resulting in differences in brain-wide connections. The strength of synchronization in these networks can predict clinical outcomes in preterm infants, providing potential early functional biomarkers for later neurodevelopmental compromise.