View clinical trials related to Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Filter by:Prematurely born children are at higher risk of cognitive impairments and behavioral disorders than full-term children. There is growing evidence of significant volumetric and shape abnormalities in subcortical structures of premature neonates, which may be associated to negative long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The general objective is to look directly at the long-term neurodevelopmental implications of these neonatal subcortical structures abnormalities. Investigators propose to develop biomarkers of prematurity by comparing the morphological and diffusion properties of subcortical structures between preterm, with and without associated brain injuries, and full-term neonates using brain MRI. By combining subcortical morphological and diffusion properties, investigators hypothesize to be able to: (1) delineate specific correlative relationships between structures regionally and differentially affected by normal maturation and different patterns of white matter injury, and (2) improve the specificity of neuroimaging to predict neurodevelopmental outcomes earlier. The specific aims and general methodology are: 1) Build a new toolbox for neonatal subcortical structures analyses that combine a group lasso-based analysis of significant regions of shape changes, a structural correlation network analysis, a neonatal tractography, and tensor-based analysis on tracts; 2) Ascertain biomarkers of prematurity in neonates with different patterns of abnormalities using correlational and connectivity analysis within and between structures features; 3) Assess the predictive potential of subcortical imaging on neurodevelopmental outcomes by correlating neonatal imaging results with long-term neurodevelopmental scores at 9 and 18 months, and 6-8 years, follow-up. In each of these aims, investigators will use advanced neuroimaging analysis developed by their group and collaborator, including multivariate tensor-based morphometry and multivariate tract-based analysis. This application will provide the first complete subcortical network analysis in both term and preterm neonates. In the first study of its kind for prematurity, investigators will use sparse and multi-task learning to determine which of the biomarkers of prematurity at birth are the best predictors of long-term outcome. Once implemented, these methods will be available to compare subcortical structures for other pathologies in newborns and children.
This study entails a "proof of concept" evaluation of a novel intervention, Parents and Infants Engaged (PIE), for prodromal infants at-risk for neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs). The objectives of the current study are to examine whether the PIE intervention (a) transforms parent-infant transactions over time as intended, thereby facilitating increases in the time infants spend in joint engagement with their parents, and (b) is associated with improved social-communication functioning and positive changes in indices of autonomic self-regulation in infants at-risk for NDs.
It is well known that sleep is essential for brain development and learning. Infants require extensive sleep for development of the hippocampus, pons, brainstem, and midbrain and for optimizing physical growth. It is also essential for brain plasticity; the genetically determined ability of the infant brain to change its structure and function in response to the environment. Studies in young animals have shown that sleep deprivation leads to increased programmed cell death, smaller brain size, and loss of brain plasticity, all of which have negative long-term impact on behaviour and learning ability. Infant massage, a form of systematic tactile stimulation by human hands, improves sleep hygiene. Very little is known about how massage influences early brain development but it is certainly linked to the theory of environmental enrichment, which has been well established in animal models. The aim of this project is to optimise the infant's sensory experience through a multi-sensory enrichment programme, including massage (a massage utilising a scented lotion before sleep each day), to encourage more structured sleep and ultimately show improved developmental and cognitive outcomes.
Children with congenital heart disease are at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, these disorders impacting their quality of life and their integration into society. The aim of this study is to detect neurodevelopmental disorders in children (aged from 6 to 66 months) with congenital heart disease in Nord-Pas-De-Calais (France) and to evaluate the frequency and risk factors of these neurodevelopmental disorders for a better follow-up. This study will help implementing a specific program for the evaluation and management of neurodevelopmental disorders in children suffering from congenital heart disease in Nord-Pas-De-Calais and more globally, in the region Hauts-De-France.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate a family counseling intervention, entitled "Tuko Pamoja" (Translation "We are Together" in Kiswahili). The intervention, delivered by lay counselors and through existing community social structures, is expected to improve family functioning and individual mental health among members. The sample includes highly distressed families with a child or adolescent (ages 8-17) exhibiting emotional or behavioral concerns; as such, particular emphasis is placed on adolescent-focused outcomes, including mental health and well-being.
Background: People show changes in brain activity when they watch other people do actions. This may be part of early social and communication skills. Researchers want to understand the stages of normal development of motor observation and imitation in people and how it relates to social development in infants and toddlers. Objective: To study the nature of brain activity that underlies typical brain functioning in infants, toddlers, and adults. Eligibility: Infants ages 8 12 months Healthy adults ages 18 65 Design: Adult participants will have one visit. They will: Answer questions about their family, like its size and ethnicity. Answer questions about their own behavior and do a simple motor task. Have EEG/fNIRS. A damp elastic cap with small sensors will be placed on the head. Participants will observe stimuli, either on a video screen or of a live person. The sensors will be connected to a computer. That will record the participant s brain activity while watching pictures on a screen. Infant participants will have 2 visits. Their parents will answer questions about their family. The parents will fill out forms about their child s development. These will be mailed to them before each visit. Parents will stay with their infant while study staff does an assessment of the child s communication, motor, and thinking skills. Infants will have EEG/fNIRS. Infants who are at risk for developmental delays will come back for another visit when they are about 2 years old. This will repeat the infant visits but it will not include EEG/fNIRS. Some questionnaires and assessments will be videotaped.
This study is aimed to carry out a systematic study to examine the effects of genetic variants (genetic modifiers) other than TSC genes on phenotypic variability in familial TSC patients (affected parent, child and unaffected siblings) and sporadic TSC.
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the feasibility in conducting advanced MRI sequences in a pediatric clinical setting. The study will be observational in nature, and will only evaluate the studies of pediatric patients who have already been prescribed an advanced MRI for clinical neurological purposes. The only difference for the subject in participating in this study is that the data and information about their scan can be used and disclosed for research purposes, i.e. understanding if the time of the scan, patient comfort, and quality of the data are feasible. Standard MRI's have been extremely beneficial in the diagnosis and assessment of disease, injury, and anomalies throughout the body. Adding advanced MRI sequences to the arsenal of current standard MRI sequences, as well as analyzing the clinical significance of the data, may improve the benefits of MRI in the future. Within this scope, the study will be looking at the following factors: 1. The total time of the scan, including: - Patient arrival time/lateness - Patient preparation time - Time scanner is being occupied - Patient compliance (is the patient continually stopping the study for breaks, fear, movement, etc.) 2. Patient dropout rate, including: - Change of mind - Cost of study is too much - Failure to finish the scan 3. Usability of data, including: - Movement artifact - Patient requiring re-scan for any reason The scan will consist of two to five advanced MRI sequences that will average between 7-15 minutes each, in addition to a routine 5 minute standard MRI sequence. The variability in the number of advanced sequences depends on the prescription and patient history. All sequences are performed using a 1.5 Tesla Siemens MRI scanner at Westwood Open MRI, a 3 Tesla GE scanner at Tower Saint John's Imaging, or a 3 Tesla Siemens MRI scanner at Resolution Imaging. All scanners are FDA-approved.
The efficacy of clinical trials addressing behavioral issues in individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) has traditionally been hampered by lack of objective and sensitive measures. While there are many behavioral observation measures available, most of them either rely on recall of the event or are designed for use by trained professional observers, requiring a third party or extensive training for use. The Measuring Outcomes for CHange (MOCHA) phone based application was developed to address the need for feasible real-time tracking of behavior. For the current study, 2 parents of children with IDD, 2 special education teachers, and 2 behavior health professionals will be recruited to serve on a stakeholder advisory panel. These individuals will provide initial feedback on the use of the application. Primary participants will be the parents and teachers of 10 children or adolescents (age 5-17 years) who are seeking treatment and support for the child's challenging behaviors (aggression, self-injurious behaviors, severe irritability) from clinicians in the Behavior Medicine Clinic at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Participants in the study will use MOCHA to record the child's behavior each time it occurs over 6 weeks in order to test the feasibility of using MOCHA over time and in response to treatment. The first 2 weeks of data collection will occur prior to the participant's scheduled visit to the BMC. Following the clinic visit, where clinically determined treatment suggestions will be provided, participants will continue to collect data for 4 weeks to determine if long term data collection is feasible and if change can be detected in response to the treatment through MOCHA (and compared to pen and paper questionnaires). Two children will be chosen from this participant pool to wear a sensor device to determine feasibility of syncing wearable sensors with the MOCHA app for use in future research studies. Following the 6 weeks of MOCHA use, all participants will receive a call or in person visit to conduct an exit interview about the participant's experiences using MOCHA. The overall goal of this study is to determine the feasibility of the use of the MOCHA application to track behaviors in populations of children with IDD. The MOCHA app does not act as an intervention and is not modifying the environment of the participants, but will be used as a tool by caregivers to track behaviors in real time.
Locomotor, transport and information functions in human body systems are carried out by active media in autowave regimes! Any living organism is a (micro-macro-mega) hierarchy of autowave subsystems-an ensemble of loosely coupled subsystems of a simpler structure. From the highest levels of the hierarchy, Autowave Codes-Signals arrive, which determine the transitions of subsystems from one autowave regime to another Autowave interaction (of Complex Coherent Action). Autowave interaction is a process associated with the evolution and interaction of spatial and wave structures in the active media of the organism. Chaos in organism functioning tells about health. Periodicity - Autowave reverberator may presage a disease - Autism Spectrum Disorder; Chaotic nature of oscillations in active media of physiological systems is more optimal for their vital functions than periodic one. Firstly, systems that function in chaotic regimes, can re-arrange themselves faster and easier in case of change of environmental conditions, i.e. the so called adaptive control is more easily implemented in them. Secondly, "spreading" of oscillations strength along comparatively wide frequency band takes place in chaotic regime. When an organism is young and healthy, physiological systems show the elements of chaotic behavior, i.e. irregularity and chaotic dynamics are the extremely important characteristics of health. Decrease in changeability and appearance of stable periodicity of Autowave reverberator are often connected with Autism. The main purpose is to study brain plasticity (the changes that occur in the brain through Autowave reverberator) in children with autism. Research suggests that during development, the brains of children may change in response to their Autowave reverberator differently than the brains of typically developing individuals. Investigators want to understand why and how this difference may contribute to the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, the investigators will be examining the effects of non-invasive neuromodulation SQUED™ series 28.1 home-use for Treatment of Autowave reverberator of Autism. Integrative Team World Organization of Medical Synergetics (WOMS) - collaborations between physicians and researchers with expertise in biostatistics, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science.