Baby Brains Study
The brain undergoes rapid development after birth. We are conducting a large study to investigate how the brain develops its visual functions during infancy.
To do this, we use two safe and non-invasive technologies: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). MRI allows us to measure brain structure while your baby sleeps, and fMRI helps us observe brain activity while your baby looks at pictures. Your participation would involve an fMRI session to measure your baby's brain function and an MRI session to assess the structure of your baby's brain.
This is a great opportunity to learn about brain development! You will be financially compensated at a rate of $30 per hour for your participation, and you will get a picture of your baby’s brain. If you have further questions, check our FAQs or %20babybrains [at] stanford.edu (contact us )directly!
Participation timeline
Submit an interest form
Once we receive your form, we'll be in contact with you to schedule a phone screening to tell you more about the study and determine if you and your baby are eligible to participate.
Come in for an evening MRI scan
Time commitment: 2 to 3 hours
If you're eligible to participate, we will first invite you to come for a bedtime MRI session to collect data from your baby while they are asleep. The scan itself would take 30 to 45 minutes, and the rest of the time would be dedicated to getting your baby into a deep sleep.
Come in for an awake fMRI scan
Time commitment: 2 hours
After the MRI session, we will invite you back for an awake fMRI session. This will be scheduled during the day when your baby is most alert. The scan itself will take at most 25 minutes, and the rest of the time will be dedicated to getting your child comfortable with the scanning environment. During the scan, your baby will be watching fun videos and listening to music.
Follow-Up Sessions
If, for any reason, we weren't able to collect data from your baby during either the awake or asleep scan, we would invite your baby back to try again.
Can my baby participate?
We're currently recruiting healthy babies between the ages of 3 and 6 months.
Where do I park?
We have Q-designated parking spaces near our building that are reserved for research participants. To get to these parking spots, navigate to 20 Palm Drive, Stanford, CA 94305.
Will I be with my baby during the study?
We ask that you accompany your baby into the scanning room to lie them down on the scanning bed. We will ask you to step out of the scanning room once the scan starts.
During the scan, you'll sit in the operating room with the MRI operator. We have a monitor set up so you can view your baby inside the scanner for the entire scan duration.
A researcher will stay within arm's reach of your baby during the entire scan.
If at any time you decide that you want us to stop the scan, please let the MRI operator know.
Is it easy to scan babies?
Baby scanning is unpredictable; a lot of the success boils down to how the baby is feeling on the day of the scan and how well they respond to the scanning environment.
We ask that you let us know in advance if your baby isn't feeling well so we can reschedule.
What does the MRI scanner do? Does it have radiation?
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging, and the machine uses a magnetic field to take photos of your baby's brain. The MRI scanner does not use any radiation and does not have any known risks.
The magnet inside the scanner is always on, so we require participants to take off any metal before they enter the scanning room. We use a metal detector wand to ensure that participants are safe to enter.
Participants can only enter the scanning room if accompanied by a researcher.
How will this research be useful?
Presently, we know very little about baby brains. Our study will provide key knowledge about the development of the infant brain during the first year of life. When the study is completed, our findings are shared and discussed with other scientists and published in academic journals. By participating, your family will be contributing to our knowledge of child development, which can help childcare providers, educators, and medical practitioners.
My friend is also interested. Can they participate?
Absolutely! Please tell your friends who may be interested. We are always looking for participants.