Currently Recruiting
Sensory Processing and Arousal Biomarkers in Rett Syndrome: 1-50 year olds
Brief Description:
The purpose of this study is to find new non-invasive biomarkers specific to Rett syndrome, such as heart rate and pupil dilation determined by how people with Rett syndrome process their environment. Our overarching goals of this research study are to: 1) establish spontaneous pupil/heart rate fluctuations as measures of arousal, and 2) establish how spontaneous arousal fluctuations modulate neural network activity and sensory processing in Rett syndrome.
Eligibility for Participation:
- 12 months-50 years old
- Typically Developing
Rett Group Only: Genetic Diagnosis of MECP2 Variant
Participation Details:
This study involves two visits (1 per year over the course of 2 years) to the lab. Each visit will last between 1-2 hours. A research ECG (electrocardiogram) will measure your child’s heart rate and function. A research electroencephalography (EEG) will measure the electrical activity happening in your child’s brain, and a camera under a computer monitor will gather eye-tracking data from your child. You will complete questionnaires with the study team. We provide free parking, a toy, and a small payment for participating.
Research Contact:
karen.sabol@childrens.harvard.edu
617-355-0644
The Sensory Processing and Adaptation (SPA) Study: 3-4 year olds
Brief Description:
The purpose of this study is to learn more about sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing concerns, and are typically developing. In the current project we aim to obtain objective measures of neural response to sensory stimuli across multiple modalities, in individuals with ASD, individuals with other sensory processing concerns, and typically developing controls.
Eligibility for Participation:
- 3-4 years old
- Typically Developing
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sensory Processing Concerns
Participation Details:
This study involves one visit to the lab that will last 3-4 hours. The visit will include your child participating in some play-based testing, like interaction with toys, thinking games, and engaging with sights, sounds, and textures. We use EEG, a safe, non-intrusive test which involves the child wearing a damp cap of stretchy sponges on their head to measure their brain activity. You will also be asked to complete some questionnaires about your child’s medical history and development. We provide free parking, a toy, and a small payment for participating.
Research Contact:
SPAStudy@childrens.harvard.edu
617-818-6829
Characterization of EEG and Biological Sample Biomarkers in Children with SYNGAP1-Related Disorder: 2-11 year olds
Brief Description:
There is a higher chance of developing autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability associated with a SYNGAP1 variant. The purpose of this study is to find brain-based signs of these disorders in individuals with SYNGAP1-related disorder so that effective treatments and interventions can be found.
Eligibility for Participation:
- 2-11 years old
- Genetic diagnosis of SYNGAP-1 variant
Participation Details:
This study involves two visits 12 months apart to the lab. Each visit will last between 2-3 hours. A research electroencephalography (EEG) will measure the electrical activity happening in your child’s brain. You and your child will complete questionnaires with the study team. There will be an option for you (as parent), biological siblings, and your child to consent to research blood & saliva samples (following an optional overnight fast). We provide free parking, a toy, and a small payment for participating.
Research Contact:
karen.sabol@childrens.harvard.edu
617-355-0644
No Longer Recruiting
Emotion Processing in Infancy and Early Childhood
Brief Description:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the development of emotion processing. Specifically, we are interested in how emotion processing changes from infancy to childhood and how it may be related to other cognitive domains, temperament, physiology, and mental health in children.
Eligibility for Participation: We are no longer recruiting participants for this study. The study team has finished infant and three-year follow-up data collection. We are running five and seven-year follow-ups with families who enrolled at infancy. This study involves one visit to the lab at each time point (when children turn 3, 5, and 7 years). Sessions typically last anywhere from one-and-a-half to three hours. While we contact families at each time point, the follow up visits to the lab are completely optional. Additionally, if families have left the Boston area, there are options for remote participation.
Research Contact:
emotion.project@childrens.harvard.edu
857-218-3660
Full Description:
The ability to read emotions in facial expressions is a critical skill that helps us to navigate our social world. In the current study, we aim to understand how this ability emerges and evolves in infancy and throughout childhood. To do this, we measure the brain’s response to a range of emotional faces using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We utilize a variety of behavioral, cognitive, genetic, and clinical measures to help us create a comprehensive picture that charts the developmental course of emotion processing throughout infancy and childhood. We also administer a short temperament assessment, a battery of tests to measure ability in different cognitive domains, and an assessment of physiological responses.