The Relation between Brain Activity and Nutritional Status in Children and Youth

This study is about investigating the relation between brain activity and nutritional & metabolic status.

This project has been approved by the Holland Bloorview Research Ethics Board (Project ID: 0557)

You can participate if you are:

We are looking to recruit 20 children and youth with or without disabilities with the following profile: 

  • Are 8-24 years of age 
  • Weighs more than 15 kg (33 lb) 
  • Can remain still and tolerate fNIRS cap for about 10 minutes 
  • Can understand English and follow instructions 
  • Can abstain from food for at least 4 hours prior to session 
  • Can provide ~ 2 ml of saliva 
  • Can breathe spontaneously and regularly (no mechanical ventilation, no severe respiratory distress) 

Time Commitment:

  • One Zoom meeting to provide your consent and some demographic information. 
  • Record your daily food and supplement intake for three days before the onsite data collection. 
  • One 90-minute, onsite session at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. 
  • Follow simple pre-visit instructions (short fasting and avoiding certain supplements)
  • Provide a saliva sample. 
  • Your weight, height, and skinfold thickness will be measured. 
  • 10-minutes wearing a headcap with provides to record brain activity.

See Study Flyer for more details on the study.

Date posted: 4-Dec-2025
Sponsor:
Bloorview Research Institute

Investigator:
Tom Chau
, Principal Investigator