UCLA Health researchers are developing wearable technology to detect early signs of autism and other developmental conditions in infants.
The project, supported by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, will test wearable sensors similar to fitness trackers to monitor infant movement during the first year of life, according to an April 23 system news release. The five-year study began in January and will run through December 2030.
The study will enroll about 120 infants with a higher likelihood of an autism diagnosis due to having an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder. Sensors placed on the wrists and ankles will track movement from ages 3 months to 12 months, with assessments conducted at three-month intervals.
Researchers will also perform behavioral evaluation throughout the study, along with assessments for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions at 12 months and 24 months, according to the release.
The research builds on prior work from UCLA Health that identified movement variability metrics predictive of later autism diagnosis and aims to refine early screening methods for use in clinical and home settings.
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