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Spontaneous movement in typically developing infants and in infants born prematurely

  Faculty of Engineering - Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science - Department of Psychology; Neuroscience and Behaviour

  Dr. Vickie Galea, PhD (galeav@mcmaster.ca), Dr. Jim Reilly, PhD, PEng (reilly@mail.ece.mcmaster.ca), Dr. Salhab el Helou, MD, MSc, FRCPC (elhelos@mcmaster.ca), Dr. Ranil Sonnadara, PhD (ranil@mcmaster.ca), Dr. Christoph Fusch, MD, PhD, FRCPC (Christoph.Fusch@klinikum-nuernberg.de), Dr. Laurel Trainor, PhD (ljt@mcmaster.ca), Dr. Mijna Hadders-Algra, MD, PhD (m.hadders-algra@umcg.nl)

  Status
ongoing
  Start Date
August, 2015
  Countries
Canada, Germany, Netherlands

We have developed a machine-learning based model for the quantification of spontaneous movement characteristics. Our next immediate phase involves analysis of spontaneous movement in premature infants. Infants of early prematurity are at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as CP, ASD and others. This is particularly true if the infant is also born at a low birth weight. We will be conducting these assessments in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with the potential of conducting serial analyses while the infant remain an in-patient yielding insight into development.

Impact

The more immediate application of the outcomes from this project has the potential to be used in NICUs nationally and internationally. Automated quantitative assessments of early infant movements do not presently exist and are needed by neonatologists as a view into development of the CNS. Our model has

Student Experience

Students who have worked on this project have had the opportunity to participate in a highly interdisciplinary project giving them exposure to both basic and applied research and to both clinical and basic researchers. In addition and as a consequence of our collaboration with Paracelsus Medical University, one of our senior graduate students will be traveling there to train research staff at the hospital this giving this student international exposure. Students have also had the opportunity to attend conferences.

Countries
Canada, Germany, Netherlands
Impact
Research, Global Partnerships
Institutional Partner(s)
McMaster University Medical Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Paracelsus Medical University, Neurnberg, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Groningen
Community Partner(s)
Industry Partner(s)
Key Outcomes
Publications, Spin-offs
Sponsorship
Federal
Provincial
Sponsorship Details
We have received support from NeuroDevNet, a national network of excellent in neurodevelopment as well as support from McMaster Office of Research and Office of International Affairs.
MOU
no

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