Human neurocognitive development: Early-stage processing, modifiers, and outcomes
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are rarely diagnosed before age 3. Understanding the emergence of these disorders during the first years is critical to improving early identification and treatment options. We aim to understand how brain development over the first years of life relates to both typical and atypical developmental outcomes. To do this, we will conduct two large projects. First, we will follow infants who are more likely to develop common conditions like autism and ADHD from five months to toddlerhood (Part A). Second, we will study typically developing babies from pregnancy to early infancy (Part B). Both parts of our programme aim to: (1) find markers of how babies process sounds, sights and touch (sensory processing); (2) understand later-emerging skills like social motivation or self-regulation that can help babies compensate for any early difficulties in sensory processing; (3) understand how these factors might shape and predict later behavioural difficulties, like problems with social communication or attention and activity level.
In Part A we build on our long experience in working with infants with a family member with ASD, who have a 1/5 chance of going on to a diagnosis themselves. We will further expand our work to infants with a family member with ADHD, who have a similarly heightened likelihood of receiving an ADHD diagnosis. We will also work with a new group of infants diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic condition that frequently leads to a later ASD or ADHD diagnosis. We will compare the development of brain and cognitive functions in these groups to other babies who do not have a family history of a developmental disorder. All these groups of babies will take part in our study where we follow babies over five visits to our laboratory over the first three years of life. We study brain development using a variety of baby-friendly methods such as Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS - a type of light imaging), electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, and parent-infant interaction. We have chosen to compare infant routes to autism and ADHD risk for several reasons. One of these is to determine how specific the early warning signs are for particular later outcomes. Another reason is that we know that these conditions quite commonly co-occur in the same children. We also work with international partners to join together to ask important questions about early signs and interventions for autism and ADHD.
Birth is the single most dramatic change in environment that a brain experiences in its lifetime, yet its consequences for emerging functions remain surprisingly unknown. In Part B we will conduct a basic science study of typical development from pregnancy to age 5 months. We will look at whether individual differences in how foetuses respond to lights and sounds measured with ultrasound are maintained after birth. Further, we will ask whether or not there are dramatic changes in brain function that happen over the first weeks post-birth. Finally, we will study how infant's experiences interacting with other people in early infancy influences their brain development. Taken together, this project will provide deep insights into a vital period of human development.
In Part A we build on our long experience in working with infants with a family member with ASD, who have a 1/5 chance of going on to a diagnosis themselves. We will further expand our work to infants with a family member with ADHD, who have a similarly heightened likelihood of receiving an ADHD diagnosis. We will also work with a new group of infants diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic condition that frequently leads to a later ASD or ADHD diagnosis. We will compare the development of brain and cognitive functions in these groups to other babies who do not have a family history of a developmental disorder. All these groups of babies will take part in our study where we follow babies over five visits to our laboratory over the first three years of life. We study brain development using a variety of baby-friendly methods such as Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS - a type of light imaging), electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, and parent-infant interaction. We have chosen to compare infant routes to autism and ADHD risk for several reasons. One of these is to determine how specific the early warning signs are for particular later outcomes. Another reason is that we know that these conditions quite commonly co-occur in the same children. We also work with international partners to join together to ask important questions about early signs and interventions for autism and ADHD.
Birth is the single most dramatic change in environment that a brain experiences in its lifetime, yet its consequences for emerging functions remain surprisingly unknown. In Part B we will conduct a basic science study of typical development from pregnancy to age 5 months. We will look at whether individual differences in how foetuses respond to lights and sounds measured with ultrasound are maintained after birth. Further, we will ask whether or not there are dramatic changes in brain function that happen over the first weeks post-birth. Finally, we will study how infant's experiences interacting with other people in early infancy influences their brain development. Taken together, this project will provide deep insights into a vital period of human development.
Technical Summary
Little is currently known about the emergence of ASD and ADHD during infancy, and the modifying factors that may compound or alleviate initial risk. In Part A we will advance our current studies of infants at-risk for a later diagnosis of autism or ADHD by virtue of being young siblings of a diagnosed child, to also include infants diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic condition that frequently leads to a later ASD or ADHD diagnosis. We will compare the development of brain and cognitive functions in these groups alongside typical (low-risk) infants using a variety of methods such as Near InfraRed Spectroscopy, EEG, eye-tracking, standardised assessments, and parent-infant interaction. This work will allow us to dissociate early stage markers associated with poor synaptic efficiency in posterior sensory and motor cortices, from later developing neurocognitive factors associated with anterior (frontal) systems that can compound or alleviate symptoms in the course of subsequent development. Part A is embedded within national and international collaborative networks in order to increase the number of babies studied on some key measures, and correspondingly increase our ability to detect effects. Birth is the single most dramatic change in environment that a brain experiences in its lifetime, yet its consequences for emerging brain functions remain surprisingly unknown. In Part B we will conduct a basic science study of typical development over this period to ask fundamental questions such as whether individual differences in foetal behaviour are maintained after birth, whether or not there are dramatic changes in brain function triggered by birth, and what is the role of social interaction with other humans during the first weeks of life on infant brain development.
Planned Impact
We envisage several groups of non-academic beneficiaries for our research; (i) the families of children at risk for developmental disorders, (ii) individuals with a general interest in child development, and those about to transition into parenthood, (iii) policy-makers within government interested in investment in early child development (e.g. "The 1001 critical days" Cross-party manifesto, 2014), (iv) professionals, managers and commissioners responsible for the care of individuals with autism/ADHD and their families, (v) commercial enterprises interested in new software and hardware development to aid attention and learning early in life, and in the development of treatments for autism and ADHD, and (vi) charities both in the UK (The Neuro Foundation, Autistica, CHADD) and at an international level (Children's Tumor Foundation, Autism Speaks), which provide educational resources, support and networking opportunities for schools and families. We will continue to monitor and review our impact during the project lifecycle.
Autism and ADHD are lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders that in many cases bring considerable burden and cost to the individual, their family and society. About 1% of children are on the autism spectrum and the prevalence for ADHD is estimated at 5%. Recent estimates of the UK annual societal cost of ASD exceed £32 billion (nationalautismproject.org.uk/the-report). Total ADHD annual cost in the US has been put at between $143 and $266 billion (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24911948). Recent financial analyses show that even high cost early intervention has the potential for large lifetime cost savings (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28838582). The study of infant siblings is vital for early detection, improving diagnostic strategies, and providing the basis for early interventions aimed at improving the independence and quality of life of those who are affected. For example, our current PG has allowed us to prove the efficacy of a parent-mediated intervention for individuals with high likelihood for ASD (Green et al., 2017). Such interventions have the potential to capitalise on maximal neural plasticity and may have a cascading impact on later cognitive function.
In Part B of the grant we trace neurocognitive development in the understudied but critical pre and early post-natal period. The first year of life is a time of rapid neural development that lays the foundation for later cognitive abilities and educational performance. This basic research will underpin future translational studies in infants with early developmental risk factors such as premature birth, or global health risks such as under-nutrition. In addition, sharing information about early development with parents of low risk infants also promotes infant and family wellbeing.
Our PG will also provide a fertile training environment for young scientists. PI Johnson has supervised over 60 students and postdocs, who have gone on to a variety of academic and research appointments, and is to receive the 2019 APS mentorship award. He is also co-author of a leading textbook. Indeed, BBK site lead Jones was mentored as a postdoctoral fellow by Johnson and now holds a permanent Lectureship. Further, we regularly host volunteers and placement students from a range of backgrounds (circa 10 per year). Our training environment focuses on both scientific excellence, but also a broad range of generalisable skills to prepare students for careers beyond academia. These include working with families, complex data management, presentation and communication skills, clinical experience, independence and time management, and working in industry. Further, through data sharing we have provided critical scientific resources to a range of PhD students from other groups, spreading expertise from our network.
Autism and ADHD are lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders that in many cases bring considerable burden and cost to the individual, their family and society. About 1% of children are on the autism spectrum and the prevalence for ADHD is estimated at 5%. Recent estimates of the UK annual societal cost of ASD exceed £32 billion (nationalautismproject.org.uk/the-report). Total ADHD annual cost in the US has been put at between $143 and $266 billion (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24911948). Recent financial analyses show that even high cost early intervention has the potential for large lifetime cost savings (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28838582). The study of infant siblings is vital for early detection, improving diagnostic strategies, and providing the basis for early interventions aimed at improving the independence and quality of life of those who are affected. For example, our current PG has allowed us to prove the efficacy of a parent-mediated intervention for individuals with high likelihood for ASD (Green et al., 2017). Such interventions have the potential to capitalise on maximal neural plasticity and may have a cascading impact on later cognitive function.
In Part B of the grant we trace neurocognitive development in the understudied but critical pre and early post-natal period. The first year of life is a time of rapid neural development that lays the foundation for later cognitive abilities and educational performance. This basic research will underpin future translational studies in infants with early developmental risk factors such as premature birth, or global health risks such as under-nutrition. In addition, sharing information about early development with parents of low risk infants also promotes infant and family wellbeing.
Our PG will also provide a fertile training environment for young scientists. PI Johnson has supervised over 60 students and postdocs, who have gone on to a variety of academic and research appointments, and is to receive the 2019 APS mentorship award. He is also co-author of a leading textbook. Indeed, BBK site lead Jones was mentored as a postdoctoral fellow by Johnson and now holds a permanent Lectureship. Further, we regularly host volunteers and placement students from a range of backgrounds (circa 10 per year). Our training environment focuses on both scientific excellence, but also a broad range of generalisable skills to prepare students for careers beyond academia. These include working with families, complex data management, presentation and communication skills, clinical experience, independence and time management, and working in industry. Further, through data sharing we have provided critical scientific resources to a range of PhD students from other groups, spreading expertise from our network.
Organisations
- University of Cambridge (Lead Research Organisation, Project Partner)
- Autistica (Collaboration)
- European Commission (Collaboration)
- Birkbeck, University of London (Project Partner)
- University of California, Los Angeles (Project Partner)
- University of Manchester (Project Partner)
- Durham University (Project Partner)
- University College London (Project Partner)
- King's College London (Project Partner)
- BabyBrains Limited (Project Partner)
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Project Partner)
- King's College London (Project Partner)
Publications
Tye C
(2022)
Understanding the nature of face processing in early autism: A prospective study.
in Journal of psychopathology and clinical science
Tillmann J
(2020)
Dissecting the phenotypic heterogeneity in sensory features in autism spectrum disorder: a factor mixture modelling approach.
in Molecular autism
Smith CG
(2022)
Infant Effortful Control Mediates Relations Between Nondirective Parenting and Internalising-Related Child Behaviours in an Autism-Enriched Infant Cohort.
in Journal of autism and developmental disorders
Siddiqui MF
(2022)
Imaging Cerebral Energy Metabolism in Healthy Infants.
in Advances in experimental medicine and biology
Siddiqui MF
(2021)
Regional Haemodynamic and Metabolic Coupling in Infants.
in Frontiers in human neuroscience
Description | Horizon 2020 Marie-Curie ETN |
Amount | £3,335,950 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | Mapping attentive brain states in real time to support parent-child interaction in autism |
Amount | £9,198,586 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/W006774/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2023 |
End | 09/2025 |
Description | Risk and Resilience in Developmental Diversity and Mental Health |
Amount | € 785,650,750 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 101057385 |
Organisation | European Commission H2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 08/2027 |
Description | Scalable TRansdiagnostic Early Assessment of Mental Health (STREAM) |
Amount | £3,943,718 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/S036423/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2019 |
End | 07/2024 |
Description | Sensory biomarkers of core and associated symptoms of autism in preschool children with ASD |
Amount | $759,236 (USD) |
Funding ID | 869610 |
Organisation | Simons Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 03/2022 |
End | 03/2025 |
Description | BASIS - British Autism Study of Infant Siblings |
Organisation | Autistica |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have founded and direct a national network for studying babies at-risk for a later diagnosis of autism |
Collaborator Contribution | We have helped establish a national network for studying babies at-risk for autism which now includes over 30 affiliated projects sharing a common data set. |
Impact | We have held several national and international workshops and as well as holding an annual scientific meeting, we also have set up several collaboration meetings and training courses. For BASIS Publications see: http://www.basisnetwork.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=69 |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | IMI EU-AIMS |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Lead Workpackage 4 for 'Eurosibs' team to collect common measures in infant siblings of children with autism |
Collaborator Contribution | To collect common measures in infant siblings of children with autism |
Impact | Project is underway and testing in 4 different European labs including ours has begun. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | "Dynamic modulation of frontal theta predicts later intelligence". PsychologiCall podcast episode, online |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Podcast collaboration with organiser Sue Fletcher-Watson, who talks to fellow academics about learning difficulties research. Organised by University of Edinburg |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | "The Brain, Early Development and Autism". Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Prof Emily Jones talks about her research around understanding cognitive and neural mechanisms that drive variability in the early development of core skills, why early development is highly important and translating findings into clinical practice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.acamh.org/blog/brain-early-development-autism/ |
Description | Altered theta-beta ratio in infancy associates with later ADHD-related traits". Virtual Presentation, American Professional Society for ADHD and Related Disorders. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | "Altered theta-beta ratio in infancy associates with later ADHD-related traits". Virtual Presentation, American Professional Society for ADHD and Related Disorders. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Basis EXPO event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | A workshop on the use of eye-tracking in infant research for Parents and older children involved in the research at Birkbeck Babylab |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Birkbeck Collage Royal Visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Demonstrating the Interstaars study as part of the research conducted by Birkbeck Babylab to Princess Anne during a visit to Birkbeck College |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Birkbeck Science week event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Demonstrating the Interstaars study to staff and students attending a science week event at Birkbeck College |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | CAPA - The Global Education Network Lab Visit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Showing 17 students and two Professors from University of Pittsburgh around the Babylab explaining the different methodology used in the lab and demonstrating the Interstaars study |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Conference "Towards stratification biomarkers for ASD: Neural measures of social expertise". Royal College of Psychiatry, London, UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference "Towards stratification biomarkers for ASD: Neural measures of social expertise". Royal College of Psychiatry, London, UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Ethics of early intervention in autism spectrum disorder |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Webinar, Angelini Pharmaceuticals (for clinicians) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Interactive talk held on zoom open to public to explain research about the STAARS study and biomarkers of ASD and/or ADHD |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interactive talk held on zoom open to public to explain research about the STAARS study and biomarkers of ASD and/or ADHD |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Keynote Lecture: Society for Research in Child Development |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | The Society for Research in Child Development is the largest child psychology organisation internationally with over 25,000 members. This was one of three keynote lectures delivered at their annual scientific meeting. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Lab visit by MP Chris Skidmore and Birkbeck Master |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Demonstrating the Interstaars study set up and protocol to Birkbeck's Master and MP, for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | New methods for building a translational science of social brain development |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation to Fit'NG (Fetal Infant and Toddler Neuroimaging) conference, Paris, France. c 80 people, academics and clinicians |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Optimising physiological measurements in infants and toddlers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Webinar given to Biopac customers/users about the best ways to get data from infants and toddlers with ECG, GSR and EMG |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Prospective studies of infants with a family history of autism: Motivations, progress and ethics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Webinar as part of the AIMS2TRIALS European consortium, with the participation of about 80 researchers and field experts |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Talk "Towards stratification biomarkers for ASD: Neural measures of social expertise". SFARI Webinar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk "Towards stratification biomarkers for ASD: Neural measures of social expertise". SFARI Webinar |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | The Otto Wolf lecture 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The Otto Wolf lecture at the Institute for Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, is an annual event delivered by an expert lecturer, and aimed at both researchers and practitioners. An on-line audience of 250-300 attended the lecture. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Towards stratification biomarkers for ASD: Neural measures of social expertise |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation, STIPED conference, Barcelona, Spain. c 30 people, academics and clinicians |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Tracing Developmental Paths in Nf1: A prospective perspective |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation to Neurofibromatosis International Medical Conference, Manchester, UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | UNESCO funded, Science Museum lates, Representing the women in science grant and Birkbeck babylab |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Demonstrating portable eye-tracking technology in the context of the Interstaars study protocol |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Uncovering causal paths to neurodevelopmental conditions: Dynamics over time |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk as part of the Sick Kids NMH and Division of Child and Youth Mental Health Research Day, Canada to 150 academics and clinicians |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | What do babies think about? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Public engagement project led by Madeleine Payne (PhD student, UCL ICN) for adolescents to ask scientists questions. Recorded a voice response to the question "What do babies think about?" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |