Current Projects

An exploration of executive function in children with and without ADHD: using eye tracking technology

Alice Bazzuro

We are pleased to invite you to participate in a research study at the School of Psychology, University College Dublin. The study, titled “An exploration of executive function in children with and without ADHD: using eye tracking technology!”, is part of an ongoing PhD project at UCD Babylab. It aims to explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying potential behavioral differences in children with and without ADHD during two computerized "TeleFE" tasks, developed by researchers at the University of Genoa, Italy. The study will help identify differences in inhibitory control and visual attention. During the session, your child will play two short video games while their eye movements are monitored to analyze visual reaction times and attention focus.

What are Executive Function and Eye-Tracking?

Children with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning skills, such as inhibitory control, which may lead to difficulties like speaking out of turn in class. This study aims to understand whether these children exhibit differences in visual behavior, such as reaction time and attention focus, during computerized tasks designed to assess executive functioning.

Eye tracking, a non-invasive method, allows researchers to explore attention networks and inhibitory control by analyzing specific neurophysiological and behavioral components that are not easily detectable through traditional methods. This pilot study will enhance our understanding of executive functions in children with ADHD and inform future research that incorporates eye tracking to study these cognitive skills.

Executive functions are crucial cognitive skills that help us manage our behavior, remember information, adapt to new situations, and control impulses. These skills are essential for success in school and social interactions. During the study, children with and without ADHD will play two short video games while their eye movements are monitored to analyze visual reaction time and attention patterns.

How can I get involved?

The project is ready to start, and there are many ways to get involved! If you're interested, please visit the UCD Babylab website for more information and contact Alice through the form provided.

We are inviting all children aged 6 to 10, with or without an ADHD diagnosis, to participate. Children with other neurodevelopmental disorders, or a history of visual, sleep, motor disorders, or brain injury, are also welcome but may be excluded from the final data analysis.

If you decide to participate, you and your child will need to complete consent and assent forms. The in-person study will take place at the UCD Neuropsychology Lab in Dublin. During the session, your child will play two short video games while their eye movements are tracked to analyze visual reaction times and attention focus. The session will last approximately 30 minutes.

You will be asked to fill out questionnaires regarding your child’s medical history, executive functions, sleep patterns, and screen use. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a 10 euro voucher, a small gift for your child, and a “Kid Scientist” certificate.

Who is leading this study?

The project led by Alice Bazzurro, is a PhD candidate in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Genoa, currently at UCD as a visiting PhD student.

Her research interests focus on executive functions and self-regulation skills, particularly in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders during school age. Alice is especially interested in integrating technology for assessment and intervention, both in-person and remotely. She is excited to join the BabyLab team and work on a project examining executive functioning in children, both with and without ADHD, using eye-tracking technologies.

She is supervised by Michelle Downes,the principal investigator of the UCD Babylab, and Assoc Prof Paola Vierbori from the University of Genoa.

Tourette’s, Cognition, and Sleep

Lisa Keenan

This project, funded by the Irish Research Council, aims to build a more accurate picture of neuropsychological profiles in children with Tourette syndrome. We are particularly interested in how sleep and executive functioning difficulties might affect this population.
We are currently looking for children with Tourette syndrome aged between 8 and 12 to take part in this project - visit the Take Part page for further details!

See below for a GIF overview of this project.

Project on Educational and Neuropsychological outcomes of children with Neurological disorders in Ireland (PENNI)

Clara Sherlock

The UCD Neuropsychology Lab, in conjunction with Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, are running a research study to learn more about the profile of neuropsychological deficits in Irish children with neurological disorders, and how this profile has changed over time.

The neurophysiological development of auditory attention in infants at genetic risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Dr Michelle Downes

With this research, we are interested in how infants develop auditory attention. This project involves conducting EEG with infants aged 10-20 months.

With this research, we are interested in how infants develop auditory attention. This project involves conducting EEG with infants aged 10-20 months. If you'd like to learn more about how EEG works, you can find out right here.

The successful translation of neuropsychological assessment into everyday classroom environments

Dr Michelle Downes

Sleep problems and family functioning in infants at high-risk for ADHD and their association with attention development

Dr Michelle Downes & Dr Jessica Bramham

This project is investigating family functioning, sleep, and sensory processing in infants at high-risk for ADHD.