the neurophysiological underpinnings of sensory-motor
dysfunctions in ASD
Our goal is to advance the clinical utility of a novel Mobile Brain-Body Imaging (MOBI) technology to yield new insight into central control of mobility in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The MOBI system integrates electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity recordings with simultaneously acquired 3D infrared camera images to monitor brain activity, gait pattern, and body posture while participants walk on a treadmill. The collaboration between the Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory and the Human Clinical Phenotyping Core will further strengthen a partnership bringing translational research to bear on a comprehensively phenotyped sample of children with autism spectrum disorder, applying state-of-the-art technology to investigate sensory integration, balance, and gait impairments utilizing an approach with high ecological validity.
Advancing MOBI to investigate sensory and motor dysfunctions in autism has the potential not only to provide new insight into brain functions underlying locomotion and balance issues, but also to elucidate sensory-motor contributions to repetitive behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. This project represents a first step in a research program aimed at the discovery of objective brain measures of sensory-motor dysfunction and the evaluation of these brain measures in relation to core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic assessments.
For more information, contact Tringa Lecaj at tringa.lecaj@einsteinmed.edu.