Researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge are trialling a groundbreaking technique that could rapidly speed up the diagnosis of brain injuries in newborns

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Non-invasive baby brain monitoring

The neuro-imaging technology could enable much earlier detection of the damage that can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and learning difficulties in babies. It means doctors can intervene much sooner, potentially preventing some of these problems from developing. The new system is the brainchild of consultant neonatologist, Professor Topun Austin. Read the interview with Professor Austin on The Naked Scientists website.

Prof Topun Austin is a consultant neonatologist and director of the Cambridge University Hospital’s Evelyn Perinatal Imaging Centre. His research focuses on brain treatments at the extremes of life – young and old. He explains:

“The Fusion study aims to develop and demonstrate a system for the cot-side assessment of brain activity in newborn infants and is currently the first of its kind in the world.
“We have spent 12 months successfully proving the concept with the help of healthy and premature babies and will now focus on babies considered to be at higher risk of brain damage.
“Understanding brain activity patterns in both term and preterm infants can help us identify those most vulnerable to injury at an early stage.”