The Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory (INCLab) studies the development of neural control of movement during infancy. Infants progress from spontaneous movements to goal-directed, refined motor skills across the first year of life, which are then further refined across childhood. INCLab is focused on early identification of atypical development and early intervention to promote optimal development in infants who have or are at risk for developmental disabilities. Current projects are focused on understanding the relationship between movement experience, movement outcomes and underlying neural control. We are using wearable sensors (small, lightweight, synchronized accelerometers/gyroscopes) to analyze infant movement experience and movement outcomes through full-day, in-home monitoring. We are using a 32-channel electroencephalography system and infant headcaps to analyze infant brain activity data related to the neural control of movement. Finally, we use head-mounted eye-tracking to measure infant visual gaze.
The INCLab is located in Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The lab is directed by Dr. Beth A. Smith, PT, DPT, PhD. Multiple current projects in the INCLab are supported by the National Institutes of Health. Past projects have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, and the CAL-PT FUND.
Research highlights:
INCLab is a proud member of the NIH HEALthy Brain and Child Development study
NSF “Infant-Robot Interaction as an Early Intervention Strategy” with USC’s Interaction Lab
SC CTSI Voucher Program Enables Expansion of Study on Infant Motor Development for Children at Risk
Social media and github:
Instagram: inclab_chla
Facebook: Infant Neuromotor Control Lab