Resting State Neuroelectric Function and Socio-Demographic Constructs in Children and Adolescents

Poster Session E - Monday, March 31, 2025, 2:30 – 4:30 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Janis Gaudreau¹ (janis_gaudreau@uri.edu), Michelle Lim¹, Nicole Logan¹; ¹The University of Rhode Island

Introduction: Children from lower socio-demographic backgrounds often exhibit differences in attention-related neural outcomes. Yet, the unique contribution of each socio-demographic factor has yet to be characterized. We aimed to investigate the variance of sociodemographic constructs associated with alpha and beta oscillations across childhood. Method: Participants (N = 781, 264 F) aged 5-21 (10.39±3.41) were included from the Child Mind Institute Healthy Brain Network. Bonferroni-adjusted linear regressions were conducted with age, sex, race/ethnicity, puberty, and SES variables (perceived neighborhood safety, occupational prestige, parent education, household income). Dependent variables included resting state electroencephalography (EEG) power bands: alpha 1 (A1: 6-9 Hz), alpha 2 (A2: 9-12 Hz), beta 1 (B1: 13-19 Hz), beta 2 (B2: 19-25 Hz) and beta 3 (B3: 25-30 Hz). Results: Higher household income was associated with lower A1 (β = -0.012, p = .007), A2 (β = -0.01, p = .008), and B1 power (β = -0.007, p = .004). Safer neighborhoods also showed lower associations with A1(β = -0.007, p = .046) A2 (β = -0.006, p = .034) and B1 (β = -0.004, p = .037), while unsafe neighborhoods had stronger associations with B2 power (β = 0.027, p = .032). Conclusion: Perceiving to live in an unsafe neighborhood was associated with higher B2 power, possibly reflecting heightened alert states, whereas perceptions of safety and greater income were associated with lower A1, A2 and B1 power, possibly reflecting relaxed states. Future work should investigate feelings of anxiety as they relate to perceptions of safety and oscillatory power.

Topic Area: OTHER