Frontal brain electrical activity in infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers: Relation to variations in infant behavior

被引:55
作者
Dawson, G [1 ]
Frey, K
Self, J
Panagiotides, H
Hessl, D
Yamada, E
Rinaldi, J
机构
[1] Univ Washington, Ctr Human Dev & Disabil, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
[2] Univ Washington, Dept Psychol, Seattle, WA 98195 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1017/S0954579499002229
中图分类号
B844 [发展心理学(人类心理学)];
学科分类号
040202 ;
摘要
In previous studies, infants of depressed mothers have been found to exhibit reduced left frontal brain electrical activity (EEG). The left frontal region has been hypothesized to mediate social approach behaviors and positive affective expression. These findings raise important questions about the cause and nature of atypical EEG patterns in infants of depressed mothers. The present study begins to address some of these questions by examining whether or nor variations in patterns of frontal brain activity in infants of depressed and nondepressed mothers are related to variations in infant behavior as observed in naturalistic situations. If such relations exist, are they specific to certain behaviors hypothesized to be mediated by the frontal region (i.e., positive approach behaviors)? Frontal and parietal brain electrical activity was recorded from 14- to 15-month old infants of depressed versus nondepressed mothers during a baseline condition and during conditions designed to elicit interest and positive affect. Infant behavior was observed in naturalistic play conditions, with and without mother, on a separate day from EEG resting. Mothers provided information on infant temperament. Infants of depressed mothers showed less affection and touching of their mothers. For infants of depressed mothers only, reduced left frontal brain activity was found to be related to lower levels of affection toward mother, but not to infant temperament. Furthermore, increased generalized frontal activation was found to be related to higher levels of negative affect, hostility, and tantrums and aggression. Relations between infant brain activity and behavior were not found for parietal EEG activity. These results suggest that infant frontal electrical brain activity is related to variations in infant behavior, especially those involved in positive affiliative behavior and the expression and regulation of negative affect. The nature and cause of atypical patterns of brain activity and question of whether such atypical patterns of frontal brain activity predispose infants to affective disorders in later life are discussed.
引用
收藏
页码:589 / 605
页数:17
相关论文
共 80 条
[1]   PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN AT SOCIAL RISK - CHRONICITY AND TIMING OF MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND CHILD-BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME [J].
ALPERN, L ;
LYONSRUTH, K .
DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, 1993, 5 (03) :371-387
[2]  
[Anonymous], NEURAL DARWINISM
[3]  
Bell Martha Ann, 1994, P314
[4]   Behavioral and physiological antecedents of inhibited and uninhibited behavior [J].
Calkins, SD ;
Fox, NA ;
Marshall, TR .
CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1996, 67 (02) :523-540
[5]  
Chugani Harry T., 1994, P153
[6]   MATURATIONAL CHANGES IN CEREBRAL FUNCTION IN INFANTS DETERMINED BY F-18 DG POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY [J].
CHUGANI, HT ;
PHELPS, ME .
SCIENCE, 1986, 231 (4740) :840-843
[7]   The development of depression in children and adolescents [J].
Cicchetti, D ;
Toth, SL .
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST, 1998, 53 (02) :221-241
[8]  
Coghill S. R., 1986, BRIT MED J, V292, P1165
[9]   SPECIFICITY OF INFANTS RESPONSE TO MOTHERS AFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR [J].
COHN, JF ;
TRONICK, E .
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY, 1989, 28 (02) :242-248
[10]   THE IMPACT OF MATERNAL DEPRESSION IN YOUNG-CHILDREN [J].
COX, AD ;
PUCKERING, C ;
POUND, A ;
MILLS, M .
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, 1987, 28 (06) :917-928