TRI's CREA to Begin Recruitment for Study of Executive Function in Low Birth Weight Babies


TRI's CREA to Begin Recruitment for Study of Executive Function in Low Birth Weight Babies

Jan 13, 2015
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Dr. Patricia Blasco

Patricia Blasco, Ph.D., will serve as the Principal Investigator in a collaboration between TRI and the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to study the effects of low birth weight on the development of executive function in the first three years of life.

Executive Function (EF) is the collection of mental processes in the brain that allows for self-regulation, working memory, attention, and organization and planning, all necessary skills for school-readiness.

“To date, there is no single comprehensive measure of executive functioning for children ages 6 months to three years,” says Dr. Blasco. “In fact, many studies of EF in the Low Birth Weight (LBW) population have been retrospective once the child is school-age and already experiences learning difficulties. If EF deficits are identified earlier in life, interventions can be put in place earlier to bolster skills and buffer deficits, leading to better success in school and day-to-day activities.”

The research team at TRI, led by Dr. Sybille Guy, will work collaboratively with the clinical assessment team led by Dr. Sage Saxton at the Institute on Development and Disability at the Oregon Health & Sciences University. In addition, Dr. George Morgan, Professor Emertius from Colorado State University will serve as a consultant.

“This is a dream come true for all of us,” says Dr. Blasco.  “I have been interested for many years in the development of children who are born early and the effects on brain development in terms of executive function. These findings will provide new scientific knowledge and a better understanding of EF skills and deficits in young children who are born LBW and preterm.”

Recruitment for the study will begin soon. We will be looking for babies born Low Birth Weight who do not have major medical conditions, and babies born full term who do not have any known delay. More information on how to be involved will be coming soon.

OHSU IRB # 11290 - P.I.: Patricia M. Blasco, PhD


Project EF: Executive Function in Infants and Toddlers Born Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Preterm is funded for three years by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).


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