Mirror Neuron Network Dysfunction as an Early Biomarker of Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Objective: This investigation has two main objectives: 1) combine two child-friendly brain imaging techniques and stochastic modeling to determine the neural basis for the development of imitation and mimicry in human infants and 2) use machine learning to identify brain activation patterns that predict impairment in imitation and mimicry in infants at risk for social communication disorders.

Study Population: This study will focus on two groups of infants. The first group includes 60 typically developing infants, who will complete the imitation and neuroimaging paradigm between the ages of 9-12 months (+/- 2 weeks) and again at 12 months of age

(+/- 2 weeks). The second group includes 60 infants at increased risk for social communication disorders, including those with motor delay, language delay, preterm birth, or a sibling with an autism spectrum disorder. These infants will complete the imitation and neuroimaging paradigm at 12 months of age (+/- 1 month) as well as a follow up evaluation of social communication skills and developmental status at 24 months of age (+/- 1 month).

Design: We propose to conduct longitudinal studies of changes in EEG and fNIRS correlates of mirror neuron network activity in typical development and infants at risk for social communication delay. We will measure both EEG mu suppression and hemodynamic change over the motor cortex during an established infant action/observation paradigm. At all study visits, infants will also complete developmental assessments that measure abilities in cognitive, motor, language, and social domains.

Outcome measures: Both neuroimaging measures and developmental status will serve as outcomes for this study. For the typically developing infants, change in the neuroimaging metrics (i.e., percent mu suppression, percent oxyhemoglobin change) will be used to

characterize development of the mirror neuron system, while the relation between neuroimaging variables, their trajectories, and developmental ability will be used to develop hypotheses about the role of the mirror neuron network in development of social communication skills. For the infants at risk for social communication disorders, the main outcome will be developmental status, with neuroimaging metrics used as predictors.

• INCLUSION CRITIERIA:

Healthy adults

• Age of 18-65 at study entry
• Healthy and good condition as determined by medical history and physical examination

Healthy Infants

• 9 months +/- 2 weeks of age at time of consent
• Healthy and good condition as determined by medical history and physical examination
• Age appropriate development as determined by parent report and exam
• Full term at birth
• Normal weight for gestational age

At Risk Infants

• 12 months +/- 2 weeks at the time of consent
• Must have at least one of the following: observed developmental delay; sibling of a child with autism; premature birth; small for gestational age

Exclusion criteria

Healthy Adults

• Uncorrected auditory impairment
• Uncorrected visual impairment
• Head injury with loss of consciousness
• Inability to provide consent
• Subject has a condition, that in the opinion of the investigator, creates an unacceptable risk for participation

Healthy and At-Risk Infants

• A language other than English as the primary language spoken at home
• Having a medical impairment that interferes with study participation such as having a g-tube, shunt or seizure disorder and inability to hold one s head upright
• Having a known visual impairment
• Having a known auditory impairment