The Development of Face-Processing Abilities in Infants: Structural and Functional Brain Changes During the First Year of Life

项目摘要/摘要 这个独立之路奖(K99/R00)将促进我向一名独立科学家的转变 对婴儿期人脸处理能力的发展进行创新性研究。显然， 轻松识别人脸的能力掩盖了这项任务的复杂性。本提案中所述的活动 旨在解决分布式脸部敏感网络的结构-功能耦合问题 通过表征白质(WM)纤维束连接功能激活区域 对人脸的处理。这样的方法以前已经在成年人中实施过，调查 FMRI对面孔反应的激活模式。高密度头皮脑电的来源分析 脑电(EEG)记录是检查婴儿大脑活动的最佳手段。因此，我提议调查 整体面孔早期低水平源皮层活动的结构-功能关系 成人和12个月大婴儿对面孔的感知和结构编码。为了更好地理解WM 在这个网络中，我将定义宏观和微观结构属性(即总容量 纤维束、各向异性分数-FA、轴向和径向扩散系数以及纤维密度) 使用弥散张量成像(DTI)纤维束成像。此外，我将把这项调查扩大到更小的婴儿 追踪婴儿出生后第一年脸部加工的发育变化。作为次要目标，我将 探索自闭症高家族风险婴儿的结构-功能关系。我建议进行培训和研究 在指导阶段(K99)扩展我在以下方面的知识和技能：(1)脑电活动的来源定位 使用先进的源分析方法和精确的头部模型；(2)DTI数据采集和光纤束 重建；以及(3)用于对高危婴儿进行研究的学习工具。知识和技能 在指导阶段获得的成果以及指导研究的结果将有助于 实现独立阶段(R00)的目标。这些具体目标是：(1)跟踪发展 出生第一年的大脑结构变化和对面孔的功能反应更好地理解典型 和人脸网络的非典型轨迹；以及(2)将研究扩展到其他重要方面 人脸处理，例如对面部身份的歧视。我将跟踪结构和功能变化 在6个月、9个月和12个月的婴儿的面部加工中。这种方法将使我们能够阐明 面部感知的敏感期发生在第一年的后半段。此外， 将采用多模式方法来定义结构-功能开发，以调查 婴幼儿个体面孔知觉适应效应的动态研究我的导师团队是独一无二的 准备协助和促进我的培训和研究目标，并确保成功过渡到我的 独立研究计划。

Project Summary/Abstract This Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) will facilitate my transition to an independent scientist who conducts innovative research on the development of face processing abilities in infancy. The apparently effortless ability to recognize faces belies the complexity of this task. The activities described in this proposal are aimed at addressing the structure-function coupling underlying the distributed network of face-sensitive areas by characterizing the white matter (WM) fiber tracts connecting functionally activated regions during the processing of faces. Such an approach has been previously implemented with adults investigating the pattern of fMRI activation in response to faces. Source analysis of high‐density scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings is an optimal means to examine brain activity in infancy. Therefore, I propose to investigate the structure-function relationship between source cortical activity of the early low‐level stage of holistic face perception and structural encoding of faces in adults and 12-month-old infants. To better understand the WM connectivity profile within this network, I will define macro- and micro-structural properties (i.e., total volume of fiber bundles, fractional anisotropy – FA, axial and radial diffusivity, and fiber density) of the WM tracts using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography. Further, I will extend this investigation to younger infants to track the developmental changes in face-processing during the first year of life. As a secondary aim, I will explore structural-functional relations in infants at high familial risk for autism. I propose training and research during the mentored phase (K99) to extend my knowledge and skills in: (1) source localization of EEG activity using advanced source analysis methods and accurate head models; (2) DTI data acquisition and fiber tract reconstruction; and (3) learning tools for conducting research with high-risk infants. The knowledge and skills gained in the mentored phase, as well as the results of the mentored research, will be instrumental to achieving the aims of the independent phase (R00). These specific aims are: (1) track the development of structural brain changes and functional responses to faces in the first year of life to better understand typical and atypical trajectories of the face network; and (2) extend the investigation to other important aspects of face-processing, such as the discrimination of facial identities. I will track structural and functional changes in the processing of faces in infants at 6, 9, and 12 months. This approach will allow us to shed light on the sensitive periods in face perception occurring during the second half of the first year of life. Further, the multimodal approach to define structural-functional development will be implemented to investigate the dynamics of the adaptation effect to individual face perception in infants. My mentorship team is uniquely poised to assist and promote my training and research goals, and to ensure a successful transition to my independent research program.