A survey of protocols from 54 infant and toddler neuroimaging research labs

Abstract

Infant and toddler MRI enables unprecedented insight into the developing brain. However, consensus about optimal data collection practices is lacking, which slows growth of the field and impedes replication efforts. The goal of this study was to collect systematic data across a large number of infant/toddler research laboratories to better understand preferred practices. Survey data addressed MRI acquisition strategies, scan success rates, visit preparations, scanning protocols, accommodations for families, study design, and policies regarding incidental findings. Respondents had on average 8 years’ experience in early life neuroimaging and represented more than fifty research laboratories. Areas of consensus across labs included higher success rates among newborns compared to older infants or toddlers, high rates of data loss across age groups, endorsement of multiple layers of hearing protection, and age-specific scan preparation and participant accommodation. Researchers remain divided on decisions in longitudinal study design and practices regarding incidental findings. This study summarizes practices honed over years of work by a large collection of scientists, which may serve as an important resource for those new to the field. The ability to reference data about best practices facilitates future harmonization, data sharing, and reproducibility, all of which advance this important frontier in developmental science.

White matter trajectories over the lifespan

“…between 1 and 3 years of age [78] an age in which there is a higher number of data loss and greater variability in the acquisition protocols (i.e., asleep vs awake acquisitions). The investigation of typical developmental trajectories of FA and MD in young children would benefit from further studies focusing on brain-based sex differences since several neurodevelopmental disorders show different phenotypic profiles in boys and girls [7].…”

Increasing diversity in developmental cognitive neuroscience: A roadmap for increasing representation in pediatric neuroimaging research

“…Making the research process familiar to targeted families ahead of time is also important for building trust and increasing compliance when there are rigorous study procedures that may be intimidating for people unfamiliar with neuroimaging research. We recommend the use of tools or strategies that help make the research environment more friendly and inviting for participants, such as sharing short videos introducing the research team and the neuroimaging technology, incorporating the use of a mock scanner to discuss the research collection process with families prior to participation, and using preparation kits that families can take home in advance of a neuroimaging scan (i.e., recordings of MRI sounds); these strategies have all been shown to be helpful in familiarizing families with neuroimaging research ( Barnea-Goraly et al, 2014 , Copeland et al, 2021 , Greene et al, 2016 , Hendrix and Thomason, 2022 , Raschle et al, 2009 ). During imaging collection, researchers should consider the use of culturally and age-appropriate movies, engaging tasks, and other pleasant distractions to increase comfort and reduce motion.…”

Proving and improving the reliability of infant research with neuroadaptive Bayesian optimization

“…In infant neuroimaging research, around 30%-40% of the data is lost due to bad quality or missingness (Baek et al, 2021;Hendrix & Thomason, 2022;van der Velde & Junge, 2020). The NBO approach enables researchers to optimize data quality during the experimental run by providing real-time feedback, and requires them to carefully evaluate their procedures for data acquisition and criteria for excluding bad quality data which is then performed in near real-time.…”