Fen Zhang

Onderzoek

My main research interests are related to the intricacy of brain networks in humans by using a wide variety of techniques, including NIRS, fMRI, ERP, , etc. I am particularly interested in the research program of brain development in infants at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder,. Cooperating with our team members, I will work on the differences of brain patterns between infants with high and low risk for ASD. Since reduced or increased information sharing among brain regions at early stage relevant to latter language processing, it is necessary to examine the intrinsic communication between these regions for observing dysfunction in infants at risk for ASD. My current longitudinal study is designed to examine not only the functional connectivity pattern of language system in infants at risk for ASD, but also their developmental changes in the brain network during early childhood. For these purposes, by comparing the group difference and individual difference, we plan to examine the intrinsic neural mechanisms for language by investigating children among 5, 10, 14 and 24 months. In order to investigate such an early developmental issue, we will assess resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) related to the language system in infants at risk for ASD using the functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) method.

Contactgegevens

Fen Zhang
Vakgroep Experimenteel-klinische en Gezondheidspsychologie
Onderzoeksgroep Ontwikkelingsstoornissen
Henri Dunantlaan 2
B-9000 Gent
Fen.Zhang@UGent.be
tel 32465532858