Developing Brain Imaging Lab

The Developing Brain Imaging Lab is looking for mothers and babies to join the Brain Imaging of Baby Siblings study! Babies must be between 1 to 24 months of age and either have an older sibling who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders or have no first- or second-degree relatives with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Study participation takes place over the course of a year and has three time points, each 6 months apart. At each time point, there is an MRI scan and a behavioral assessment for baby, and questionnaires for mom to complete. Families are compensated for their participation.

Let us know if you are interested in this opportunity!

Meet our lab’s leader, Dr. Doug Dean!

Doug is an assistant professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Physics. Originally from upstate New York, he earned his PhD in the Advanced Baby Imaging Lab (https://www.facebook.com/babyimaginglab) at Brown University and then completed his post-doctoral training at the Waisman Center (https://www.facebook.com/WaismanCenter) at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doug is extremely experienced in the field of pediatric neuroimaging and has helped scan over 800 infants and young children. His research aims to investigate the complex interacting factors that affect the neurodevelopmental trajectories of infants and children using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. His research focuses in particular on the changes that occur in the white matter, which is made up of the connections between neurons, during early brain development, and how brain development diverges in individuals with intellectual and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Beyond teaching and research, Doug enjoys spending time with his wife, two kids and dogs.

Visit our lab website for more information our studies and publications!

https://infantbrain.waisman.wisc.edu

Welcome to the Developing Brain Imaging Lab!

We are a developmental neuroscience and pediatric neuroimaging lab at the Waisman Center lead by Principal Investigator Doug Dean, PhD. We combine disciplines of neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science and genetics with advanced neuroimaging techniques—primarily Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—to study the earliest stages of brain development in infants and children. We are particularly interested in understanding how the brain typically develops and how this neurodevelopmental trajectory differs in individuals with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disorders, like Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Down Syndrome (DS).

One of our more recent studies have focused on examining early brain development in infants and young children who are at an increased risk for developing ASD. We have used MRI and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), both of which are safe (no radiation), noninvasive imaging methods, to measure the brain structure and function of young children. Our studies have additionally involved behavioral and neurocognitive assessments and filling out questionnaires.

Please see our website for additional information about our lab: infantbrain.waisman.wisc.edu

Feel free to contact us via Facebook, email or phone with any questions!