EEG amplitude and correlation spatial decay analysis for neonatal head modelling

Abstract

There is an increased need to better understand the relation between brain structures and functions in newborns by using EEG source localization techniques. This requires a realistic head model that would take into account the different macroscopic and microscopic structures of neonatal skull, which likely have an effect on tissue conductivities. The analysis of spatial decay of both amplitude of focal transients and linear correlation between EEG channels is presented for six neonatal and one adult datasets. This allows to i) study whether skull openings (fontanels) in the neonatal head have an impact on volume conduction, and ii) compare the volume conduction observed in adult and neonatal scalp EEG. The initial results indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in conductivity between 'Fontanel' region and the other parts of the newborn skull, but the scalp amplitudes show a much steeper decline in neonates as compared to adults. These findings set the basis for building a realistic head model, a key step towards source localization of neonatal EEG activity.