How gentle brain stimulation affects infants' and young children's developing brains
Effects of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on the Developing Brain
This project looks at whether gentle, noninvasive brain stimulation (like tDCS) is safe for infants and very young children and how it might change brain growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11243546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child might one day receive brain stimulation, this research uses animal models that mimic the newborn and early-childhood brain to study effects during the rapid brain growth period. Researchers will apply low-intensity transcranial direct current stimulation at ages corresponding to the third trimester through early childhood and measure cell survival, new cell formation, and changes in brain connections. The team will look for signs of harm as well as any changes that could support recovery after injury. Findings will help decide whether and how human trials with infants and toddlers should move forward.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The results would most directly apply to newborns and toddlers (roughly third trimester to about 3 years old) who have had or are at risk for acquired brain injury from hypoxia, trauma, or infection.
Not a fit: Older children, adolescents, and adults, or people with primarily genetic or degenerative brain conditions, are unlikely to benefit directly from these early-stage safety studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify safety and guide safer use of noninvasive brain stimulation to help infants and young children recover from acquired brain injuries.
How similar studies have performed: tDCS has shown benefits and generally good tolerability in many adult and older pediatric trials, but studies in infants and preclinical work on the very young brain are limited.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ikonomidou, Hrissanthi — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ikonomidou, Hrissanthi
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.