Sensory Processing in Childhood Study

The purpose of this research study is to learn about how children’s brains process sensory information. Children differ in how strongly they react to certain harmless sensory experiences (e.g., touching something sticky or the sound of a vacuum cleaner). Typically, our brains use information from our past experiences with sounds, sights, and sensations to ‘dial up’ or ‘dial down’ how we process new sensory experiences. We are hoping to understand whether children’s brains differ in how they use prior experience to set these dials and whether such differences are related to children’s sensory responses and mental health challenges.

Children and adolescents ages 9-14 without metallic implants, history of brain damage, history of seizures, or intellectual disability. Children must be able to comfortably communicate in English.

Children will participate in interviews and assessments via a Zoom video call to assess thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and intelligence. Participants will be asked a series of questions about symptoms they may or may not be experiencing now or have experienced in the past, as well as physical changes they are undergoing as a result of puberty. The Zoom visit is expected to last up to 2.5 hours, but we may invite participants back for an additional Zoom visit if they were not able to complete the protocol in time.

Participants may also be asked to return for an additional in-person visit, during which they will participate in an MRI scan. During the scan, children will sometimes be asked to lie still and sometimes see pictures of shapes, hear noises, or feel fabrics brushed on their skin using a haptic device that rests on the limbs. After the scan, children will be asked to sit and relax for 5 minutes in the room in which the study will be conducted while being recorded. Then, children will participate in sensory games with toys and musical instruments that are designed to assess reactions to different textures, sounds, and sights. This portion of the visit will be recorded, as well.

While children are participating in the scan and sensory games, a parent/guardian will be asked a series of questions about sensory difficulties and symptoms that their child may or may not be experiencing now or in the past. Caregivers may also answer questions about their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. If participants are not coming back for the in-person visit, parents may be asked to complete these questionnaires remotely.

The in-person portion of the study will take place at Washington University School of Medicine in a single visit of up to 3.5 hours (4 hours with mock MRI scan). Altogether, the activities for this study are expected to take up to 6 hours.

This study will help us understand why some children have unusually strong responses to certain sensory experiences and may be more likely to experience other challenges.