Variability of Brain Signals Processed Locally Transforms into Higher Connectivity with Brain Development
Journal of Neuroscience
A number of studies have characterized the changes in variability of brain signals with brain maturation from the perspective of
considering the human brain as a complex system. Specifically, it has been shown that complexity of brain signals increases in
development. On one hand, such an increase in complexity can be attributed to more specialized and differentiated brain regions
able to express a higher repertoire of mental microstates. On the other hand, it can be explained by increased integration between
widely distributed neuronal populations and establishment of new connections. The goal of this study was to see which of these two
mechanisms is dominant, accounting for the previously observed increase in signal complexity. Using information-theoretic tools
based on scalp-recorded EEG measurements, we examined the trade-off between local and distributed variability of brain signals
in infants and children separated into age groups of 1–2, 2– 8, 9 –24, and 24 – 66 months old. We found that developmental changes
were characterized by a decrease in the amount of information processed locally, with a peak in alpha frequency range. This effect
was accompanied by an increase in the variability of brain signals processed as a distributed network. Complementary analysis of
phase locking revealed an age-related pattern of increased synchronization in the lower part of the spectrum, up to the alpha
rhythms. At the same time, we observed the desynchronization effects associated with brain development in the higher beta to
lower gamma range.
31
2011
6405-6413
Vakorin V.A., Lippe S. & McIntosh A.R.
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