According to the article, such studies on the developing cortical sensory processes are essential for understanding the basis of most higher order functions in the brain. "Sensory experiences are responsible for much of the brain's organization through infancy and childhood, laying the foundation for complex processes such as cognition, communication, and motor development," the authors wrote. They said that most sensory studies focus on auditory and visual stimulation since they are easy to test, but that the tactile processing is of particular interest in children as it is the first sense to develop in the growing fetus.
The article, a collaboration between Dr. Maitre and Dr. Alexandra Key of Vanderbilt University, explains how to pair a tactile stimulus, puffs of air, with a method called Event-Related Potential (ERP). The ERP technique reports electrophysiological responses in the brain using a net of electrodes fitted over a child's head. The authors also describe how to measure the electrophysiological response to speech when paired with tactile stimulation.
Dr. Maitre said that the technique is unlike traditional sensory research systems, like MRI and electrical median nerve stimulation, because it is well suited for infants and children. "Other techniques require use of painful or invasive stimuli and often require active subject participation, which would not be possible in babies or vulnerable subjects," she said.
Objective and easy measurement of sensory processing is extremely difficult in non-verbal or vulnerable pediatric patients. This methodology quantitatively assesses infants and children's cortical processing of light touch, speech sounds and the multisensory processing of the 2 stimuli, without requiring active subject participation or causing discomfort in vulnerable patients.
(Photo Credit: JoVE - The Journal of Visualized Experiments)
The researchers hope that their JoVE video-article will better familiarize the field with the benefits of their ERP approach. "One of the major problems in getting people to use ERP methodology is that scientists do not often realize how rapid, non-invasive and child-friendly it is," said Dr. Maitre, "JoVE was an ideal format to conclusively show this, as the baby and child in the video were clearly comfortable with this rapid procedure."
Dr. Nathalie Maitre is a researcher of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University. Her research surrounds caring for extremely premature infants through the first three years of life, and on administering early intervention treatment for neurodevelopmental problems.
(Photo Credit: JoVE - The Journal of Visualized Experiments)
In this image, an infant's brain activity is measured while tactile stimulation, in the form of air puffs, is administered to the child's hand. The goal of this research technique is to identify and develop treatments for mental disabilities commonly associated with premature birth.
(Photo Credit: JoVE - The Journal of Visualized Experiments)