Project description
Cognitive function tool for infants
Our brain has the cognitive ability to process information, including memory, attention, and language comprehension. Cognitive function in adults usually involves various tools, but assessing cognitive function in infants, especially premature babies, is challenging due to brain immaturity and lack of language. The ERC-funded EEGInfantCogDgTool project builds on previously developed methods that employ electroencephalography (EEG) to study early brain circuits and learning skills. Researchers aim to translate these methods into a clinical tool for the comprehensive cognitive assessment of infants. The prototype will feature key functions like face perception, and following validation in the lab, its use will extend to clinical settings. This tool has the potential to improve diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders and facilitate timely interventions.
Objective
Due to motor immaturity and a lack of language, it is difficult to assess cognitive functions in the first year of life, making it difficult to properly and carefully follow up on at-risk children such as premature infants (8-10% of births), thus delaying diagnosis and adequate support. Through the babylearn project, I developed a panel of innovant EEG procedures and experimental paradigms to explore the infant developing brain circuits and learning skills. I therefore propose to extend this expertise to a clinical setting and provide a tool based on EEG for a comprehensive assessment of infant cognitive development. After building an effective prototype to test key cognitive functions (syllable and face perception, temporal anticipation) and a critical learning mechanism (statistical learning) in infants while recording EEG, we will assess in the lab the stability and robustness of our measures (TRL level 4), then extend the test in a clinical setting with a normal (full-term neonates) and at-risk population (premature neonates) (TRL level 5-6). We will validate the diagnostic utility of the device through follow-up of infants in neonatology departments. Our proposed tool aims to significantly improve the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in infants by allowing earlier identification in the clinically silent period of the first year. With accurate and objective measures of infant cognitive development, this tool will enable health care professionals to provide targeted and effective care, giving children the best chance of success.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75015 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.