ChildBrain has been structured along three interlinked scientific themes and work packages (WPs), in which the individual ESR projects have been carried out, and two network-wide training WPs.
1. Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders
WP1 focussed on neurocognitive disorders: dyslexia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as neuronal changes due to cochlear implantation. Two projects focussed on ADHD, one investigating the relationship between brain structure and oscillatory brain activity with MEG in children with and without ADHD, and the other attentional sub-processes with EEG. Two projects investigated the brain basis of dyslexia. In one, biomarkers for dyslexia were explored using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealing anatomical differences in specific reading-related regions of the brain present prior to reading instruction onset. The other dyslexia project explored the hemispheric asymmetry of language-related brain areas in dyslexia bridging the gap between the molecular genetic level and the behavioural outcome of dyslexia. The fifth project focused on cochlear implantation and the effects of restoration of auditory function on brain maturation using auditory steady state responses in EEG.
2. Brain development
WP2 examined how processing of sensory information in the brain changes with development and experience in children in four projects. One project focused on using MEG to characterize the developmental trajectory of functional and structural connectivity between brain areas and in relation to genetic profile. The second study worked on developing analysis methods for auditory brainstem-cortical connectivity patterns using EEG during very early development. The third study focussed, using MEG, on neural underpinnings of audiovisual integration during childhood as well as short- and long-term learning effects on brain activity. The fourth project studied timing and stability of brain responses, measured with EEG and MEG, as a function of maturation.
3. Brain research methods
WP3 introduced and evaluated methods for analysing brain data from children that make better use of accurate anatomical models and improved algorithms. One project focused on improved and automatic registration and segmentation for labelling of reduced-quality child MRIs. The second project developed, tested and validated novel child-adjusted anatomical and dMRI pipelines. The third project investigated a new approach for EEG analysis using fast acquisition of head surface and electrode information with a 3D camera. The fourth project developed and validated novel forward approaches for EEG and MEG source analysis. The fifth project investigated the use of somatosensory evoked potential and field data to calibrate the head model and thereby enable a combined analysis of EEG, MEG and MRI data for an improved presurgical epilepsy diagnosis. The sixth project focused on robust approaches for paediatric and clinical MEG source analysis, and on reduction of the effect of head movement during MEG data acquisition.
4. Training
Training was built through network-wide workshops and a winter and summer school, in addition to the local training containing scientific, theoretical, and methodological as well as transferable and entrepreneurial skill training. The major focus of the training was in interdisciplinary exposure, accomplished in the interaction and collaboration between the researchers with varied backgrounds in, for example, biomedical engineering, mathematics, and psychology. This focus was further strengthened by the interdisciplinary supervisory arrangements and visits to other research groups.
Dissemination and outreach
Outreach activities included a public science slam in the winter school, demonstrations and presentations at open lab days and science fairs, and lectures for the general public. Research news and public activities were published on ChildBrain web-site
http://www.childbrain.eu/(öffnet in neuem Fenster) Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/childbrain15/(öffnet in neuem Fenster) and on Twitter (
https://twitter.com/childbrainitn(öffnet in neuem Fenster)).
