This study will examine the development of EEG sleep state in the """"""""healthy"""""""" low-birthweight neonate (less than 1500 grams) until a corrected term age. Maturational similarities and differences in neurophysiological development will be assessed between pre- term infants of increasing gestational ages up to term as compared to a control group of appropriate-for-gestational age term infants. Applying the principles of biological rhythms to the developing brain, EEG sleep state will be investigated along with rapid eye movements (REM's), motility and arousal. These signals will be analyzed both visually and with computer assistance. Three specific hypotheses will be examined: 1) EEG sleep organization in healthy pre-term neonates will have a predictive pattern of development as they correct to a full-term age; 2) EEG sleep state, motility and arousal in premature neonates corrected to full-term age will have differences from normal control full- term infants with respect to a shorter sleep cycle, increased number and types of body movements and increased number of arousals; 3) Relationships between ultradian (high-frequency) rhythms of neonatal EEG sleep and the physiologic parameters of REM, arousal and motility are established by a corrected term age, and can be expressed by computer analysis in terms of coalescence and periodicity. The establishment of normative EEG-sleep data for the """"""""healthy"""""""" premature neonate over a developmental time span is essential before accurate comparisons can be made with sick neonates who are at risk for neurologic sequelae. The study will be carried out using monitoring systems that perform prolonged recordings in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These systems include both synchronized video-EEG monitoring and bedside application of computer equipment for data reduction and analysis. This will be done without disruption of the patient's medical care. Specific training objectives are presented for learning theoretical principles of biological rhythms for both the mature and developing organism, and acquiring skills in computer-assisted analysis of EEG sleep and other physiologic signals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08NS001110-03
Application #
3083825
Study Section
Neurological Disorders Program Project Review B Committee (NSPB)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1992-03-31
Budget Start
1989-04-01
Budget End
1992-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Scher, Mark S (2011) Ontogeny of EEG sleep from neonatal through infancy periods. Handb Clin Neurol 98:111-29
Scher, Mark S (2008) Ontogeny of EEG-sleep from neonatal through infancy periods. Sleep Med 9:615-36
Scher, Mark S; Jones, Bobby L; Steppe, Doris A et al. (2003) Functional brain maturation in neonates as measured by EEG-sleep analyses. Clin Neurophysiol 114:875-82
Scher, Mark S; Steppe, Doris A; Salerno, Dawn G et al. (2003) Temperature differences during sleep between fullterm and preterm neonates at matched post-conceptional ages. Clin Neurophysiol 114:17-22
Scher, M S; Dokianakis, S G; Steppe, D A et al. (1997) Computer classification of state in healthy preterm neonates. Sleep 20:132-41
Scher, M S; Dokianakis, S G; Sun, M et al. (1996) Computer classification of sleep in preterm and full-term neonates at similar postconceptional term ages. Sleep 19:18-25
Scher, M S; Sinha, S; Martin, J et al. (1995) Estimation of gestational maturity of preterm infants by five fetal sonographic measurements compared with neonatal EEG and the last menstrual period. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 95:408-13
Scher, M S; Steppe, D A; Banks, D L (1995) Postnatal adaptation of brain function in full-term neonates as assessed by EEG sleep analyses. Sleep 18:531-5
Scher, M S; Steppe, D A; Dokianakis, S G et al. (1994) Maturation of phasic and continuity measures during sleep in preterm neonates. Pediatr Res 36:732-7
Scher, M S; Sun, M; Steppe, D A et al. (1994) Comparisons of EEG sleep state-specific spectral values between healthy full-term and preterm infants at comparable postconceptional ages. Sleep 17:47-51

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