Readiness potential as a neural correlate of motor planning in toddlers and young children

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded Children's Hospital Los Angeles $149,766 on July 1, 2026, under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research Projects program (CFDA 93.HDR) to conduct research on readiness potential as a neural correlate of motor planning in toddlers and young children.

The project uses electroencephalography (EEG) and motion capture technology to identify and characterize readiness potential—a spike in brain activity preceding intentional movement—in children ages 18 to 72 months. The research aims to establish when readiness potential is measurable in this age group, compare its features (amplitude, latency, and laterality) to established adult values, and explore differences between younger and older children within the study population. The work will inform assessment of typical motor development in toddlers and young children, addressing a gap in the literature where readiness potential has been well-documented in adults but remains understudied in early childhood.

Performance occurs in Los Angeles, California with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through February 2, 2028.

Abstract

Motor planning is an essential aspect of motor function and development. Prior to a movement, the brain compiles both previously acquired information with the compatibility of the task to develop a feedforward modeling system. This skill is measurable through behavioral and neurological mechanisms. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method of documenting neural correlates of motor planning. One neurophysiologic phenomenon captured by EEG is the readiness potential (RP). Well-documented in adults, RP is a spike in brain activity that precedes the onset of movement. How this brain pattern changes through the lifespan remains to be elucidated. In young children, motor planning is most often measure through kinematic or behavioral outputs. While kinematic information can inform behavioral changes across development, identifying correlating activity in the brain provides unique insights into the brain-body connection. Additionally, literature reveals potential differences between the adult RP and child RP features. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate and describe the characteristics of RP in an age group not previously studied. Our first aim addresses this by first identifying when RP is measured in children from 18-72 months of age and will utilize both EEG and motion capture technology to record the onset of intentional movement. Our second aim will then compare features of RP to established adult values. We are focused on the potential amplitude, latency, and laterality differences between young children and adults. We also incorporate an exploratory aim to explore potential differences between the younger and older children. In all of these aims, we hypothesize that younger children will demonstrate more positive amplitudes, longer latencies, and more centralized activation. This work will inform assessment of typical development in toddlers and young children. Long-term application includes identification of atypical development. A training plan has been developed that crafts a clear path toward my long-term career goals as a leader in the scientific community. Through regular meetings with mentors across a wide range of expertise, technical training in the collection and analysis of EEG event-related potentials, and ample opportunities to disseminate and communicate scientific research at conferences, discussion groups, and through manuscript publications, the university of southern california and the children's hospital LOS angeles provide the necessary resources and training to ensure the success of this proposal.