Recruiting: BRIDGE Study (BRain Indicators of Developmental Growth)

Neural Markers of Fragile X: A Powerful New Tool for Clinical Trials

What is the study about?

This study from the Wilkinson Lab at Boston Children's Hospital is investigating how differences in brain activity affect learning, language and behavior in children with Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to cognitive and learning difficulties, children with Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome often struggle with language delays. Many of these challenges overlap with Autism Spectrum Disorder. One of the goals is to find brain markers that predict cognitive, language, and behavioral difficulties in these groups. Another goal is to better understand the differences in brain activity between young children with and without Fragile X and Down Syndrome, and whether these differences are similar in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Who can be in this study?

  • Boys aged 24-66 months that have been diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS).
  • Boys aged 24-66 months Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and language delay.
  • Boys or girls aged 24-66 months with Down syndrome (DS).
  • Boys or girls aged 24-66 months who have no developmental concerns.

What does the study participation involve?

  • 2 visits to the lab, spaced one year apart. Each visit will take 2-4 hours.
  • Each visit includes clinical and behavioral assessments that will evaluate your child’s thinking, motor skills, language skills, and social communication. In addition, we will measure your child’s brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG).
  • EEG is a safe and radiation free way to measure brain activity in response to different sounds and pictures.
  • Completion of questionnaires.

What will you receive?

  • Families will receive a small toy and a small payment for participating. We will provide free parking and child-care for siblings.
  • Families will receive a written report about their child’s development.
  • Reimbursement for travel is available.

Enrollment Information

Dr. Carol Wilkinson
(857) 218-4779
BRIDGEstudy@childrens.harvard.edu