Understanding how infant brains develop and work
Brain structure and function in infants
This project helps us learn about how babies' brains grow and change, and how that affects their behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195640 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For many years, scientists have looked at brain activity in adults, especially during rest, to understand how the brain gets ready to process information. It's harder to do this with babies because they often move or open their eyes, which makes it difficult to get clear measurements. Our team has created new ways to overcome these challenges, allowing us to better observe how brain function, structure, and chemistry mature in infants. This helps us connect these brain changes to a baby's behavior and overall development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on infants and toddlers, specifically those in the 0-11 years old age range.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for a specific condition may not directly benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of typical brain development and help identify early signs of developmental differences or clinical disorders in infants.
How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have explored resting-state brain activity, this project builds on new methods developed by the team to overcome long-standing challenges in infant brain research.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edgar, James Christopher — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Edgar, James Christopher
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.