Infant Movement Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the developmental origins of repetitive behaviours in infants with genetic syndromes and developmental delay
IRAS ID
343310
Contact name
Caroline Richards
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
RG_24-042, Sponsor reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
Repetitive behaviours have a high prevalence in children with genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability. These repetitive behaviours can include insistence on sameness, repetitive questioning, and ritualistic behaviours, all of which also occur in typically developing children. However, it is unknown why children with genetic syndromes show such high levels of repetitive behaviours compared to their typically developing peers. One suggestion is that these behaviours may help children to self-soothe and to manage their sensory environment. However, other accounts suggest that these behaviours are less helpful and may eventually lead to the development of more damaging behaviours such as self-injury. This study will use a multi-modal approach to analyse the differences in brain processing, behavioural function, and their relation to repetitive behaviours shown in infants with genetic syndromes and intellectual disability. The outcomes of this study will increase knowledge and understanding of the early emergence of repetitive behaviours in children with genetic syndromes. The study is split into two main studies (a remote one, and a direct one). The direct assessment consists of two different methodologies using neuroimaging. The sample size for the studies are 30 infants with rare genetic syndromes, and 30 infants that are typically developing.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/WM/0093
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion