How babies' brain waves change during early childhood
An Integrative Longitudinal Analysis of Neural Rhythms in Early Development
Researchers will record and track electrical brain rhythms in infants and young children to map how these patterns develop over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11358358 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would visit the lab for repeated EEG sessions that record electrical brain activity during simple tasks and rest. The team will measure multiple brain rhythms (delta, theta, alpha/mu, beta) and map their frequency and where they appear on the scalp across early development. They will link these rhythm patterns to behavior and emotional regulation to build standardized developmental timelines. The project aims to distinguish typical brain maturation from early signs of atypical development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are infants and young children (from birth through early childhood) who can attend multiple lab visits for EEG recordings.
Not a fit: Adults and older children beyond early childhood or people seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic developmental research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect early brain development differences and guide earlier, more targeted support for children at risk.
How similar studies have performed: Recording oscillatory brain rhythms is well established in adults, but applying a standardized longitudinal EEG approach to infants and young children is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bell, Martha Ann — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Bell, Martha Ann
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.