Abstract

Cognitive development in infancy & early childhood has been associated with a range of socioeconomic indicators in later life. Achieving optimal brain development during the early phases of development is thus critical for human capital.

Neurobehavioral assessments are commonly performed in young infants to provide insight into the structure and function of the developing brain. However, many of these behavioural tests can only be used once infants reach the point of observable behaviour. Objective, non-invasive tools for imaging the brains of young infants are thus needed, but the currently employed techniques have limitations for studies of young infants in resource poor settings.

The speakers have successfully piloted functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as a neuroimaging tool in rural Gambia. The innovative use of fNIRS to provide early biomarkers of cognitive development to inform & evaluate nutritional intervention strategies will be explored.