A resource for assessing information processing in the developing brain using EEG and eye tracking

Nicolas Langer,Simon Henin,Enitan T Marcelle,Agustin Petroni,Michael P Milham,Renee K Jozanovic,Samantha Cohen,Lindsay M Alexander,Simon P Kelly,Erica J Ho,Lucas C Parra,Helen Y Xu

doi:10.1038/sdata.2017.40

Abstract

We present a dataset combining electrophysiology and eye tracking intended as a resource for the investigation of information processing in the developing brain. The dataset includes high-density task-based and task-free EEG, eye tracking, and cognitive and behavioral data collected from 126 individuals (ages: 6–44). The task battery spans both the simple/complex and passive/active dimensions to cover a range of approaches prevalent in modern cognitive neuroscience. The active task paradigms facilitate principled deconstruction of core components of task performance in the developing brain, whereas the passive paradigms permit the examination of intrinsic functional network activity during varying amounts of external stimulation. Alongside these neurophysiological data, we include an abbreviated cognitive test battery and questionnaire-based measures of psychiatric functioning. We hope that this dataset will lead to the development of novel assays of neural processes fundamental to information processing, which can be used to index healthy brain development as well as detect pathologic processes.

Highlights

Background & SummaryIt has become increasingly apparent that there are abundant links between cognitive deficits and mental health disorders
Epidemiologic, genetic and neuroimaging studies alike have struggled with a lack of specificity in findings, leading many to question the validity of diagnostic boundaries drawn based upon clinical observation rather than biology
126 individuals between the ages of 6 and 44 were invited to participate in a study investigating domaingeneral cognitive processes related to attention, working memory, perception, and decision-making across a range of task/stimulation contexts (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Background & SummaryIt has become increasingly apparent that there are abundant links between cognitive deficits and mental health disorders. We present high-density task-based and task-free EEG, eye tracking, and cognitive and behavioral data for 126 subjects ages 6–44, the majority of whom do not have a history of clinical illness.

Results

Conclusion