title: Technology-aided assessment of sensorimotor function in early infancy.
abstract: There is a pressing need for new techniques capable of providing accurate information about sensorimotor function during the first 2 years of childhood. Here, we review current clinical methods and challenges for assessing motor function in early infancy, and discuss the potential benefits of applying technology-assisted methods. We also describe how the use of these tools with neuroimaging, and in particular functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), can shed new light on the intra-cerebral processes underlying neurodevelopmental impairment. This knowledge is of particular relevance in the early infant brain, which has an increased capacity for compensatory neural plasticity. Such tools could bring a wealth of knowledge about the underlying pathophysiological processes of diseases such as cerebral palsy; act as biomarkers to monitor the effects of possible therapeutic interventions; and provide clinicians with much needed early diagnostic information.
authors.affiliation: Human Robotics Group, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Alessandro G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Allievi
authors.affiliation: Human Robotics Group, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London , London , UK ; Department of Perinatal Imaging and Health, King's College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arichi
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurosciences, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust , London , UK ; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Human Robotics Group, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burdet
keywords: MRI; cerebral palsy; developmental assessment; functional MRI; motor assessment; robotic-assisted assessment