Targeted training to investigate infant attentional control.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Using targeted training to investigate how attentional control causally mediates learning in typically developing 12-24 month olds.

• IRAS ID

  149089

• Contact name

  Sam Wass

• Contact email

  Sam.Wass@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Medical Research Council

• Research summary

  At the Centre for Attention, Learning and Memory at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBSU), we undertake research to understand how childrens’ concentration, memory and learning skills develop during the first two years of life. In a research study approved by the University of Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee (“Cambridge PSYREC” Reference Number: Pre.2013.20), we are conducting a study on forty two (42) children aged 24 months or less. Recruited children are randomly assigned to either: (a) spend small amounts of time playing concentration training games intended to improve their concentration skills; or (b) watch age-appropriate animations for a similar amount of time i.e. this group will not be taking part in the training.
  Child concentration and learning skills will be investigated, and autonomic arousal will be assessed, using a variety of widely used measurement techniques. All measures plus recruitment and consent etc were fully described in the application to the Cambridge PSYREC. At the request of the York and Humber REC Manager, these details have not been duplicated in this application. Rather, we are seeking NHS REC approval (through proportionate review) for the collection of salivary samples from each participant (at 4 separate visits during the study) to measure salivary cortisol levels. Whilst this measure was also approved by the Cambridge PSYREC, the MRC CBSU does not have a human tissue site licence and so we need specifically NHS REC approval for this aspect of the study.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/YH/0029

• Date of REC Opinion

  28 Feb 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion