Thesis Project Form

Title (tentative): Sleep maturation and changes in preterm infants

Thesis advisor(s): Arnulfo Gabriele, Sara Uccella, Monica Roascio	E-mail:
Address: Via All'Opera Pia, 13 - 16145 Genova	Phone:

Description

Motivation and application domain

Preterm infants have a higher incidence of cognitive, social, and behavioral problems than full-term infants. Several studies suggest that the early birth experience may impact brain maturation by altering their development.

General objectives and main activities

The study aims to investigate if the brain connectivity changes in wakefulness and sleep stages in a longitudinal cohort of preterm infants recording in two following time-points (30 and 40 weeks).

Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)

The student shall: (i) pre-process of EEG signals; (ii) compute standard (e.g. power spectrum) and advanced EEG metrics (e.g. phase-locking value, weighted phase lag index, detrend fluctuation analysis); (iv) investigate possible changes into this metrics between first and second recording.

Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: DIBRIS

Additional information

Pre-requisite abilities/skills: Data analyses, statistics, programming

Maximum number of students: 2