How infants develop arm reaching skills and motor control
Emergence of arm reaching behavior and lateralization of motor control in infancy
This study looks at how babies learn to move their arms purposefully, which is an important skill, by watching them over time and checking their brain activity; the goal is to find ways to help babies who might have trouble with their movements.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234730 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how infants transition from random movements to purposeful arm reaching, a critical motor skill. By observing infants over time, the study aims to identify factors that influence the timing of when they start reaching and how they refine this skill. The research utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) to explore the brain activity associated with these movements and the role of errors in learning. Understanding these processes will help improve early intervention strategies for infants who may struggle with motor development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are infants who are beginning to develop motor skills, particularly those at risk for developmental delays.
Not a fit: Infants who have already developed advanced motor skills or those with severe neurological impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better early intervention programs that support infants in developing essential motor skills.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the learning processes in infants can lead to significant advancements in early intervention strategies.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Beth a — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Smith, Beth a
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.