Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, during which foundations for language, social skills, and learning are laid. Yet, cognitive difficulties at this age often go unnoticed. Traditional clinical examinations detect only the most severe neurological disorders, leaving subtle but important developmental issues unidentified until years later—often when the child faces significant challenges at school. By that time, intervention is less effective, and the delay may have lasting consequences.
Recent research in cognitive neuroscience has shown that many essential cognitive functions are already present in early infancy, and that differences in brain processing speed and efficiency can be measured well before behavioural symptoms appear. One promising method is electroencephalography (EEG), a safe, non-invasive, and affordable brain imaging technique that can be used widely, even while the infant is sleeping. By analysing specific EEG signals, it is possible to assess the quality and speed of information processing in different brain networks. These measures can reveal early signs of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, and language impairments, before they manifest in daily life.
Building on advances from the ERC-funded “babylearn” project, our goal was to develop a reliable, easy-to-use EEG-based tool to detect cognitive atypicalities during the “silent” first year of life. This tool focuses on key skills such as speech sound discrimination, face recognition, and the ability to anticipate events—abilities fundamental for later language and social development. By establishing age-specific reference values and identifying deviations from typical patterns, the tool will help healthcare professionals detect at-risk infants early, guide interventions, and monitor progress over time.
The expected impact is substantial: earlier detection means earlier support, reducing the burden of learning difficulties on children, families, and healthcare systems. It will also empower parents with objective information about their child’s development, reduce anxiety when development is typical, and accelerate the evaluation of new neonatal care practices. In the long term, this approach could become as routine as measuring an infant’s weight or height, transforming how early development is monitored worldwide.
