UCL and Gowerlabs Unveil Revolutionary Wearable Brain Imaging Device to Transform Infant Neurodevelopmental Research

A pioneering study led by University College London and Birkbeck has introduced a wearable brain imaging device that uses safe light waves to map neural activity in infants. By providing the most comprehensive view of brain functions like hearing, vision, and emotion processing in real-world scenarios, this tool could revolutionize our understanding of infant brain development and potential neurodevelopmental disorders.

Developed in collaboration with UCL spin-out Gowerlabs, the new headgear outperforms earlier prototypes by scanning the entire outer surface of a baby’s brain. Unlike traditional MRI scanners, which are restrictive and require the subject to remain still, this device allows infants to move naturally during brain activity assessments. The device’s efficacy was demonstrated by showing infants social and non-social stimulus, revealing distinct activities in various brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex. This technology offers a groundbreaking way to study brain interactions and could help identify early indicators of neurodiversity conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.

The advancements made by UCL and Gowerlabs through high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) mark a significant milestone in neuroimaging. This wearable device not only makes infant brain studies more feasible but also paves the way for practical research into early neurodevelopment. The collaboration between academia and industry exemplifies the impact of combined efforts in technological innovation, offering new possibilities in understanding and supporting neurodiverse children from a young age.

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