Functional Connectivity Assessment of Brain Development

Catherine Poulsen of Electrical Geodesics, Inc. in the U.S. will develop a protocol based on electroencephalography for the automated measurement of functional connectivity networks in the infant brain in order to predict the development of neurological defects. Functional connectivity networks such as emotion, memory, and language begin developing during gestation, and defects are linked with disorders including ADHD and depression. However, measuring functional networks requires magnetic resonance imaging, which is expensive and problematic for use on infants. They will develop a new protocol that would enable a low-cost, portable and infant-friendly neuroimaging tool. They will test it on a small sample of infants at 6 and 12 months of age to identify changes in functional networks over time.