Cognitive ability is a key factor that contributes to individual differences in life trajectories. Identifying early neural indicators of later cognitive ability may enable us to better elucidate the mechanisms that shape individual differences, eventually aiding identification of infants with an elevated likelihood of less optimal outcomes. A previous study associated a measure of neural activity (theta EEG) recorded at 12-months with non-verbal cognitive ability at ages two, three and seven in individuals with older siblings with autism (Jones et al., 2020). In a pre-registered study (https://osf.io/v5xrw/), we replicate and extend this finding in a younger, low-risk infant sample. EEG was recorded during presentation of a non-social video to a cohort of 6-month-old infants and behavioural data was collected at 6- and 9-months-old. Initial analyses replicated the finding that frontal theta power increases over the course of video viewing, extending this to 6-month-olds. Further, individual differences in the magnitude of this change significantly predicted non-verbal cognitive ability measured at 9-months, but not early executive function. Theta change at 6-months-old may therefore be an early indicator of later cognitive ability. This could have important implications for identification of, and interventions for, children at risk of poor cognitive outcomes.

认知能力是导致人生轨迹个体差异的关键因素。识别后期认知能力的早期神经指标可能使我们能够更好地阐明形成个体差异的机制，最终有助于识别不太理想结果可能性较高的婴儿。先前的一项研究将 12 个月时记录的神经活动 (theta EEG) 测量与患有自闭症的年长兄弟姐妹的 2、3 和 7 岁时的非语言认知能力相关联（Jones 等人，2020）。在一项预先注册的研究 (https://osf.io/v5xrw/) 中，我们在更年轻、低风险的婴儿样本中复制并扩展了这一发现。在向一组 6 个月大的婴儿展示非社交视频期间记录脑电图，并在 6 个月和 9 个月大时收集行为数据。初步分析复制了在观看视频过程中额叶 theta 功率增加的发现，并将其扩展到 6 个月大的婴儿。此外，这种变化幅度的个体差异显着预测了 9 个月时测量的非语言认知能力，而不是早期执行功能。因此，6 个月大时的 Theta 变化可能是后期认知能力的早期指标。这可能对识别和干预有认知结果不佳风险的儿童具有重要意义。因此，6 个月大时的 Theta 变化可能是后期认知能力的早期指标。这可能对识别和干预有认知结果不佳风险的儿童具有重要意义。因此，6 个月大时的 Theta 变化可能是后期认知能力的早期指标。这可能对识别和干预有认知结果不佳风险的儿童具有重要意义。