11.2022 - 02.2026

“ConVestDev” - Atlas of structural and functional connectivity of the vestibular network in human neonates and infants

The objective of the present project is to study the effects of the first exposure to the gravitational environment after birth and the possible evolution of the vestibular network and other sensory, attentional and cognitive networks in the early stages of development. In particular, the vestibular network is interconnected and shows great overlap with brain areas that regulate the affective sphere, including approach and avoidance behaviors. To this end we analyzed structural and functional MRI data acquired from the brains of 783 infants from the Human Connectome Project on developmental age. Preliminary results show that infants have already developed the sensory circuits present in the adult. In particular, a vestibular network distinct from the auditory network adjacent to and connected to the visual and sensor-motor circuits is evident.

This study will serve to develop tools to identify alterations in the development of vestibular and sensory networks and improve the early diagnosis of neuroevolutionary disorders such as balance disorders, autism spectrum disorders and attentional deficits. It could therefore allow the development of targeted rehabilitation and therapy protocols in at-risk infants and the optimization of early sensory stimulation protocols. 

Settori Scientifico Disciplinari

BIO/09  PHYSIOLOGY

Spoke 1 : Neurodevelopment, Cognition and Social Interaction