How Babies' Brains Develop Vision
Visual Cortex as a Window to Microstructural and Functional Development of the Human Brain
['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11092715
This project looks at how babies' brains develop their vision during the first two years of life using special MRI scans.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11092715 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We want to learn how the visual parts of a baby's brain grow and change during their first two years. We will use special MRI scans, like qMRI, dMRI, and fMRI, to see how the brain's tiny structures and functions develop over time. This will help us understand if development varies across different visual areas and how white and gray matter mature together. We also plan to look at brain tissue samples to understand the biological details of this development. Our goal is to fill important gaps in our knowledge about infant visual brain development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be healthy infants from birth to two years old who can participate in longitudinal MRI scans.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than two years or have conditions that prevent MRI participation would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for babies who might have unusual visual brain development.
How similar studies have performed: While individual imaging techniques are established, this specific longitudinal approach combining multiple advanced MRI methods with histological analysis to map infant visual cortex development in such detail is innovative.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRILL-SPECTOR, KALANIT — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: GRILL-SPECTOR, KALANIT
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.