Birkbeck Babylab

Back in January of this year, I received an email from a very nice lady called Bryony inviting me to the launch of an exciting new project at Birkbeck university: The Babylab. Although I wasn't able to attend the launch due to prior commitments, Bryony was kind enough to send me a press release about the project, as well as links to further information. It made for fascinating reading.

The Babylab project launched in January as part of a £2.5 million Autism study calles STAARS (Studying Autism and ADHD risk in siblings). The project will involve over 400 families from Europe and the UK.

The aim of the project is to study infants who have older siblings with autism and ADHD and to monitor them from birth, as they have an increased risk of developing these conditions. With earlier diagnosis come earlier intervention and improved outcomes for families.

The research team are currently looking for families with infants ages between 3-10 months old who have an older sibling with autism or ADHD to take part in the study.

Professor Mark Johnson, who is leading the study, says: "

We are very excited to be embarking on what is one the most innovative collaborative research projects into early markers of autism and ADHD to have been carried out to date.  Combining the data and expertise at the Babylab in London with that of our partners across Europe and North America will enable us to drive discoveries that will make a real impact on the lives of people with autism or ADHD and their families.”

The research will involve cognitive tests, neuroimaging and behaviour tests to study babies and toddlers as they play. The families involved in the project will participate in questionnaires and interviews in order to give the research team a fuller picture of the child's background and influences. 

For more information on the project, visit the research team blog, or view the Babylab podcast.

If you are interested in taking part in the study, you can contact Janice on 020 7079 0761 or email staars@bbk.ac.uk