Mirror Neuron Network Dysfunction as an Early Biomarker of Neurodevelopmental Disorder (NCT03307317)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Background: People show changes in brain activity when they watch other people do actions. This may be part of early social and communication skills. Researchers want to understand the stages of normal development of motor observation and imitation in people and how it relates to social development in infants and toddlers. Objective: To study the nature of brain activity that underlies typical brain functioning in infants, toddlers, and adults. Eligibility: Infants ages 8 12 months Healthy adults ages 18 65 Design: Adult participants will have one visit. They will: Answer questions about their family, like its size and ethnicity. Answer questions about their own behavior and do a simple motor task. Have EEG/fNIRS. A damp elastic cap with small sensors will be placed on the head. Participants will observe stimuli, either on a video screen or of a live person. The sensors will be connected to a computer. That will record the participant s brain activity while watching pictures on a screen. Infant participants will have 2 visits. Their parents will answer questions about their family. The parents will fill out forms about their child s development. These will be mailed to them before each visit. Parents will stay with their infant while study staff does an assessment of the child s communication, motor, and thinking skills. Infants will have EEG/fNIRS. Infants who are at risk for developmental delays will come back for another visit when they are about 2 years old. This will repeat the infant visits but it will not include EEG/fNIRS. Some questionnaires and assessments will be videotaped.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
Age range: 9 Months to 65 Years
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (301) 435-9235
Email: maria.ayoub@nih.gov
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Developmental Delay
- School-based Support for Pre-school Aged Children With Developmental Disabilities and Delays — Chicago, Illinois
- Improving Neurodevelopmental ouTcomes After Prenatal Cannabinoid in uTero Exposure — Albuquerque, New Mexico
Explore by condition: All Developmental Delay clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.