COgnitive Dynamics in Early Childhood

Cognitive Dynamics in Early Childhood

The goal of this accelerated longitudinal observational cohort study is to advance our understanding of cognitive variability in children aged 7 to 10 at first measurement. The CODEC study aims to integrate experience sampling methods, longitudinal designs, deep phenotyping cohorts, and state-of-the-art statistical methodologies to investigate three core questions:

1. How does cognitive variability differ between individuals?
2. What are the neural, psychological, and environmental mechanisms that underlie cognitive variability?
3. What are the long-term consequences and outcomes associated with differences in cognitive variability?

Inclusion Criteria:

• In order to be eligible to participate in the behavioural arm of this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Between the ages of 7 and 10 years at the moment of the first assessment. In order to be eligible to participate in the imaging arm of this study, a subject must meet all of the following criteria:
  • Between the ages of 8 and 10 years at the moment of the first assessment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A potential subject will be excluded from participation in the study if the participant indicates not understanding the instructions of the behavioural tasks due to a language barrier. In the imaging arm of the study, a potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will further be excluded from participation in the imaging arm of the study:

  • History of neurological or psychiatric illness.
  • History of using psychotropic medications.
  • Contraindications for MRI.
  • Metal parts that cannot be removed, are present in or on upper body, e.g. plates, screws, aneurysm clips, metal splinters, piercings or medical plasters. (exception: dental fillings, crowns, a metal wire behind the teeth, tattoos and contraceptive coils).
  • Body containing metal fragments, in particular in the eye, e.g., caused by injuries when working with metal.
  • History of brain surgery.
  • Active implant(s) (e.g. pacemaker, neurostimulator, insulin pump, ossicle prosthesis)
  • Using a medical plaster that cannot or may not be taken off (e.g. nicotine plaster)