Welcome to the DEMR Lab · Boston University
We study motor skills in infants and children to develop new therapies for children with cerebral palsy.
Our mission
We are a research lab that focuses on the development of motor skills in infants and children. Our goal is to better understand how early sensorimotor experiences help shape brain development and the emergence of skilled manual actions — and to use this knowledge to develop novel therapies that improve health outcomes for children with cerebral palsy.
Interested in participating? Email us at demrlab@bu.edu
For families
Is your child eligible to participate in a study?
We are currently enrolling participants for multiple ongoing studies. Participation is safe and child-friendly — and helps us learn how to better support children’s development. Select your child’s age to learn more:
Research Tools
Brain Imaging
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
A wearable cap that safely measures brain activity in infants and children. We use it to study how movements and therapy shape the developing brain.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Non-invasive brain stimulation that maps motor areas responsible for hand control. Children relax and watch a movie during measurements.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
An MRI technique that maps white matter pathways to understand how early brain injury affects the organization of motor and sensory circuits.
Participants
Who we enroll in our studies
Typically developing children
Healthy infants and children help us establish how motor skills and brain function develop in the first years of life.
Infants born preterm
Early birth can affect sensorimotor experiences. We study how the brain adapts during this critical window of development.
Children with cerebral palsy
Our ultimate goal is to use insights from development to design better, evidence-based therapies for children with CP.
Latest
News
Affiliated with
BU Sargent College
Dept. of Occupational Therapy
Neurophotonics Center