About Our Lab
The UCD Neuropsychology Lab is part of the University College Dublin (UCD) School of Psychology. You can find more information about the School here.
We have an active research programme covering diverse questions relating to neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions including epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and sickle cell disease. We also conduct research with typically-developing children and adults with no known neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions to further our knowledge of the brain and behaviour.
We are interested in brain development and have a number of ongoing studies involving babies and children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Details of previous and ongoing research projects within our lab can be found here.
Our Equipment
Our lab is well-stocked with the latest standardised neuropsychological assessment tools and equipment. Researchers in our lab use high-density electroencephalography (EEG; to measure brain activity), actigraphy (to measure sleep), and eye-tracking equipment. See below to learn more about our equipment!
EEG
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test which tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small metal discs with thin wires called electrodes are placed on the scalp, and these electrodes send signals to a computer to record the results.
An EEG can be done while the child is seated in a chair. A research assistant will attach electrodes to different locations on the scalp using adhesive paste. Each electrode is connected to an amplifier and EEG recording machine. The electrical signals from the brain are converted into wavy lines on a computer screen.
Here is a photo of one of our baby scientists in action!
EEGs are very safe and individuals do not feel any shocks on the scalp or elsewhere during the test. If you have any questions about the EEG procedure, you can email ucdneuropsych@gmail.com, or ask a member of our lab team during the course of an experiment. We are more than happy to answer any queries!
Eye Tracking
Eye tracking is an unobtrusive way to collect eye movement data from infants and children. The Neuropsychology Lab at UCD have a Tobii X120 eye tracker, which basically consists of a little black box that sits on a computer.
At the beginning of the experiment, children are shown a series of dots on the screen. This is done to calibrate eye movement and make sure that the eye tracking is picking up your child’s eye movements. Children will then be shown a series of stimuli on the screen and the eye tracker will track their eye gaze patterns. Nothing will be attached to your child and this equipment is extremely safe.
Actigraphy
Actigraphy is a measure of sleep patterns.
Using the actigraph is extremely simple. Just place it on the wrist or ankle (depending on the age of each child), and the actigraph will start recording automatically. There are no lights, beeps or buzzes to interfere with regular day-to-day activity and the only input we require is for the grown-ups to note down what time the children went to bed and got up the next morning.
When the actigraph is brought back to the lab, the data will be downloaded from it and we will be able to chart the sleep patterns, and calculate the quality of sleep.
Children will wear this watch for several nights in order to collect enough data on their individual sleep patterns. Parents are given a quick tutorial with a member of our lab team on how to use the equipment beforehand. We are always happy to go through any questions or concerns you might have!