Summary
This project investigates the neural foundations of regulation in infancy, examining how these mechanisms emerge and change over time, and the influence of individual (infant temperament, maternal anxiety) and environmental (parent-child interactions) factors on neurodevelopmental trajectories.
What they want
The F99 phase involves longitudinal collection of infant electroencephalogram (EEG) data from 8 to 24 months postpartum, videotaping mother-child interactions during a 5-minute free-play task, and primary caregiver reports on child temperament and maternal anxiety. The K00 phase will utilize novel techniques to assess dyadic neural and cognitive activity in mother-child interactions to map specific regulation socialization strategies to neural synchrony, joint attention, and anxiety risk.
Deliverables
- Map infant trajectories of neural markers (delta-beta synchrony and network connectivity) implicated in regulation.
- Identify how local and global neural mechanisms underlying regulation emerge and change during infancy.
- Determine how neural trajectories are influenced by infant negative affect and maternal anxiety.
- Assess how dyadic patterns of positive affect and responsivity in the mother-infant relationship impact neural trajectories.
- Map specific regulation socialization strategies to neural synchrony, joint attention, and risk for anxiety.
- Gain expertise in the study of infant brain development.
- Learn and apply advanced quantitative methods and dyadic analysis to the study of brain development.
- Expand dyadic analysis of mother-child interactions to the neural and cognitive systems.
- Develop strong scientific writing and teaching skills.
Technical requirements
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) data collection
- Videotaping mother-child interactions
- Primary caregiver self-report measures
- Advanced quantitative methods and dyadic analysis
- Novel techniques to assess dyadic neural and cognitive activity
Key personnel
- Independent researcher in developmental neuroscience (the applicant)
