Oscillatory gamma activity mediates the pathway from socioeconomic status to language acquisition in infancy |
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| Institution: | 1. Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Child Psychopathology Unit, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;2. Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bioengineering Lab, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;1. Center of Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada;2. Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;3. Bioengineering Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;4. Laval University, School of Psychology, Québec, Canada;1. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;2. Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;3. Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;1. Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK;2. Department of Experimental Psychology, Downing Site, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;3. School of Mathematics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK;4. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, UK;5. School of Psychology, The University of Waikato, New Zealand;1. Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, London, WC1E 7HX, UK;2. Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands;3. Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN Nijmegen, the Netherlands;4. Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Stockholm, Sweden;5. Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium;6. University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland;7. Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;8. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK;1. Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;2. Bioengineering Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy;3. Department of Electronics Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy;4. Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, USA;5. Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, NJ, USA;6. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundThe predictable path to child language acquisition is largely constrained by both brain maturation and environmental experience. The synchronized activity of large numbers of neurons gives rise to macroscopic brain oscillations on an electroencephalogram (EEG). It has been found that neural oscillations at rest in the gamma frequency band (25–45 Hz) are associated with development of different cognitive systems, including language. Although the etiology of language is explained by genetically driven brain maturation factors, environment plays a significant role. Specifically, candidate pathways from environment to language development include sociodemographic factors, primarily socioeconomic status (SES) which is likely to exert its effects on language development through other factors, such as parenting style.Despite these assumptions, no studies have so far examined the interrelation between brain maturation factors such as gamma frequency oscillatory activity, environmental factors such as SES, and language acquisition.Aim and methodIn a longitudinal study of 84 Italian typically developing infants, we measured the power of oscillatory gamma activity as mediator between SES and language acquisition. Baseline EEG and information about SES were collected when infants were aged 6 months. Children were followed-up longitudinally to measure expressive vocabulary and Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) at 24 months.ResultsThe mediation model showed that SES is associated with gamma power which, in turn, is associated with expressive language at age 24 months. A higher SES predicted an increase in left central gamma power which, in turn, predicted better language scores.ConclusionsThese results confirm the predictive role of gamma activity oscillatory activity on later language acquisition, suggesting a specific role for these oscillatory mechanisms in language development milestones such as vocabulary development and early word combination. Furthermore, they suggest that SES differences in brain activity may be apparent at early stages of life and affect later language skills. If replicated, our findings could contribute to identifying highest-risk children and may prompt cost-effective preventive/treatment strategies. |
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| Keywords: | Infancy EEG Oscillations Gamma power Language Socioeconomic status |
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