The prefrontal cortex (PFC), found in the frontal lobe region of the brain, is responsible for executive function, decision-making, behavior, personality, and other complex cognitive behaviors. It matures over the course of approximately 25 years, with significant development occurring in the early stages and continuing for about two decades. Research has found that the maturation of the prefrontal cortex is correlated with inhibitory control in infants and young children. Inhibitory control is essentially self-control, the ability to react rationally rather than impulsively. EEG alpha power has also been positively correlated with brain maturation and inhibitory control. External factors, such as the environment in which a child is raised and the relationship with caregivers, are vital to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex and, in turn, essential for inhibitory control and increased EEG alpha power.
Dr. Martha Ann Bell presented a talk on her research regarding the relations between frontal EEG maturation and inhibitory control in infants and young children. Her findings suggest that a higher EEG alpha power is indicative of the maturation of the prefrontal cortex which is further linked to academic skills. An interesting aspect of the study was the exclusion of certain participants due to external factors, such as atypical development and non-return to the study. In the methods section, it was outlined that the participants who were excluded were more likely to come from less educated backgrounds. Given that the educational background of the parents could potentially impact the study’s outcomes, it raises questions about the effects of a lack of parental relationships on brain development. A positive relationship with parents, specifically the mother, fostered an environment in which children could thrive developmentally. Dr. Bell discussed this aspect of the research and iterated that such external factors heavily influenced the development of the child. The disruption of this vital parental relationship could lead to potential lifelong and irreversible detriments.
The research performed by Dr. Martha Ann Bell yielded conclusive results regarding the correlations between developmental brain functions but the influence of external factors were not highly regarded in the study. This omission was especially intriguing, as it is the reality for many children who do not grow up with both parental figures, especially a mother. The article titled Maternal separation as early-life stress: Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders and inspiration for neonatal care discusses the importance of establishing a positive relationship between infants and parents as it provides essential nourishment for postnatal development. Dr. Bell's research recruited children aged 5 months and followed them throughout development starting at 10 months of age until 6 years of age, as opposed to this research which concentrated on the mother-newborn relationship using animal models. Animal models were used to explore the disruption of brain function in the mammalian brain as they allow for in-depth exploration, which could not be performed in human offspring as it would be unethical. The findings from the study expressed the importance of the mother-infant bond through the potential impairments, including an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in adulthood, impaired neurological growth, an increase in the production of inflammatory cytokines, alteration of neurotransmitter levels, and the impairment of myelin sheath development. The mentioned effects of maternal separation are irreversible as they occur in early brain development.
The studies discuss interjecting aspects of early-age development. Dr. Martha Ann Bell’s research focuses on the correlating aspects of PFC maturation and inhibitory control, while the article on maternal separation focuses on the deficits that may occur in infants due to the interruption of this vital relationship. A positive environment fosters growth for the developing brain and it is essential for both the maturation of the PFC and the prevention of deficiencies that may occur as an outcome. The importance of early brain development is evident through the research presented and more accessible care should be made available for infants as this crucial time cannot be taken back.
References
Zhang, Yuan, et al. “Maternal separation as early-life stress: Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders and inspiration for neonatal care.” Brain Research Bulletin, vol. 217, Oct. 2024, p. 111058, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111058.
Whedon, M., Perry, N. B., & Bell, M. A. (2020). Relations between frontal EEG maturation and inhibitory control in preschool in the prediction of children’s early academic skills. Brain and cognition, 146, 105636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105636
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