Development of Face-Processing Abilities in Infants: Structural and Functional Brain Changes

婴儿面部处理能力的发展：大脑结构和功能的变化

• 批准号: 10831164
• 负责人: Stefania Conte
• 金额: $ 24.9万
• 依托单位: STATE UNIVERSITY OF NY,BINGHAMTON
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-05-17 至 2026-04-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10831164
• 关键词: Address; Adult; Age Months; Anisotropy; Architecture; Area; Award; Axon; Brain; Brain region; Cerebrum; Characteristics; Computer software; Coupling; Custom; Data; Development; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Discrimination; Early Diagnosis; Early treatment; Electroencephalography; Ensure; Error Sources; Face; Face Processing; Fiber; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Goals; Head; Imaging Techniques; Individual; Infant; Investigation; Knowledge; Learning; Life; Light; Link; Longitudinal Studies; Measures; Mentors; Mentorship; Methods; Modeling; Pathway interactions; Pattern; Phase; Property; Protocols documentation; Radial; Research; Risk; Scalp structure; Scientist; Shapes; Signal Transduction; Source; Structure; Structure-Activity Relationship; System; Testing; Training; Variant; Visual; autism spectrum disorder; data acquisition; density; face perception; high risk; high risk infant; improved; infancy; innovation; insight; interest; multimodality; myelination; neural; neural patterning; neuroimaging; programs; reconstruction; response; skills; source localization; structural imaging; tool; tractography; transmission process; white matter

Project Summary/Abstract This Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) will facilitate my transition to an independent scientist who conducts innovative research on the development of face processing abilities in infancy. The apparently effortless ability to recognize faces belies the complexity of this task. The activities described in this proposal are aimed at addressing the structure-function coupling underlying the distributed network of face-sensitive areas by characterizing the white matter (WM) fiber tracts connecting functionally activated regions during the processing of faces. Such an approach has been previously implemented with adults investigating the pattern of fMRI activation in response to faces. Source analysis of high‐density scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings is an optimal means to examine brain activity in infancy. Therefore, I propose to investigate the structure-function relationship between source cortical activity of the early low‐level stage of holistic face perception and structural encoding of faces in adults and 12-month-old infants. To better understand the WM connectivity profile within this network, I will define macro- and micro-structural properties (i.e., total volume of fiber bundles, fractional anisotropy – FA, axial and radial diffusivity, and fiber density) of the WM tracts using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography. Further, I will extend this investigation to younger infants to track the developmental changes in face-processing during the first year of life. As a secondary aim, I will explore structural-functional relations in infants at high familial risk for autism. I propose training and research during the mentored phase (K99) to extend my knowledge and skills in: (1) source localization of EEG activity using advanced source analysis methods and accurate head models; (2) DTI data acquisition and fiber tract reconstruction; and (3) learning tools for conducting research with high-risk infants. The knowledge and skills gained in the mentored phase, as well as the results of the mentored research, will be instrumental to achieving the aims of the independent phase (R00). These specific aims are: (1) track the development of structural brain changes and functional responses to faces in the first year of life to better understand typical and atypical trajectories of the face network; and (2) extend the investigation to other important aspects of face-processing, such as the discrimination of facial identities. I will track structural and functional changes in the processing of faces in infants at 6, 9, and 12 months. This approach will allow us to shed light on the sensitive periods in face perception occurring during the second half of the first year of life. Further, the multimodal approach to define structural-functional development will be implemented to investigate the dynamics of the adaptation effect to individual face perception in infants. My mentorship team is uniquely poised to assist and promote my training and research goals, and to ensure a successful transition to my independent research program.

项目概要/摘要 该独立之路奖（K99/R00）将促进我向独立科学家的转变 对婴儿期面部处理能力的发展进行创新研究。 毫不费力地识别面孔的能力相信本提案中描述的活动的复杂性。 旨在解决人脸敏感的分布式网络底层的结构-功能耦合问题 通过表征连接功能激活区域的白质 (WM) 纤维束来确定区域 这种方法之前已经在成年人调查中实施过。 高密度头皮脑电图的功能磁共振成像激活模式。 （脑电图）记录是检查婴儿期大脑活动的最佳方法，因此，我建议进行研究。 整体面部早期低层阶段源皮层活动的结构-功能关系 成人和 12 个月大婴儿的面部感知和结构编码 更好地了解 WM。 该网络内的连接配置文件，我将定义宏观和微观结构属性（即总体积 WM 束的纤维束数量、分数各向异性 – FA、轴向和径向扩散率以及纤维密度） 此外，我将把这项研究扩展到更小的婴儿。 作为次要目标，我将跟踪生命第一年面部处理的发展变化。 探索自闭症家族高风险婴儿的结构与功能关系，我建议进行培训和研究。 在指导阶段（K99）扩展我的知识和技能：（1）脑电图活动的源定位 (2)DTI数据采集及纤维束 重建；以及（3）用于对高危婴儿进行研究的学习工具。 在指导阶段获得的成果以及指导研究的结果将有助于 实现独立阶段（R00）的目标这些具体目标是：（1）跟踪发展。 出生第一年的大脑结构变化和对面孔的功能反应，以更好地理解典型的 (2) 将调查范围扩大到其他重要方面 面部处理，例如面部身份的辨别，我将跟踪结构和功能的变化。 这种方法将使我们能够阐明 6、9 和 12 个月婴儿的面部处理过程。 面部感知的敏感期发生在生命第一年的后半段。 将采用多模式方法来定义结构功能开发，以调查 我的导师团队是独一无二的。 准备协助和促进我的培训和研究目标，并确保成功过渡到我的 独立研究计划。