Reading networks in the developing brain

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Reading networks in the developing brain

  • IRAS ID

    179291

  • Contact name

    Chris Clark

  • Contact email

    christopher.clark@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    UCL Institute of Child Health

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 5 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    The study will investigate whether the cognitive dysfunction experienced in children with benign partial epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is related to structural and functional abnormalities in specific brain regions. An MRI technique known as diffusion imaging and resting state EEG-fMRI techniques in BECTS and together with cognitive testing focused on language abilities will be used to investigate whether the cognitive dysfunction experienced in BECTS is related to structural and functional abnormalities in specific brain regions. The expected outcome of this study could be informative for the clinical setting. If the link between abnormalities in the structural and functional connectivity of the brain and cognitive dysfunction are established, future application of the proposed imaging methods could be made at early time points in the clinical course of the condition to assess the risk of developing cognitive problems or alternatively to understand how permanent cognitive deficits arise from remodeling induced by repetitive transient epileptic events.

  • REC name

    London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/LO/1759

  • Date of REC Opinion

    27 Jan 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion