Joni Holmes|Annie Bryant|Susan E. Gathercole
Protocol for a transdiagnostic study of children with problems of attention, learning and memory (CALM)
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit|University of Cambridge|MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit|University of Cambridge|MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit|University of Cambridge
substantial proportion schoolage population experience cognitiverelated learning difficulties children struggle school receive diagnosis yet problems sufficient warrant additional support understanding causes learning difficulties key developing effective prevention intervention strategies struggling learners aim project apply transdiagnostic approach children cognitive developmental difficulties related learning discover underpinning mechanisms learning problemsa cohort 1000 children aged 5 18 years recruited sample consists 800 children problems attention learning memory identified health educational professional 200 typicallydeveloping children recruited schools difficulties children completing assessments cognition including tests phonological processing shortterm working memory attention executive function processing speed parents carers completing questionnaires childs family history communication skills mental health behaviour children invited optional mri brain scan asked provide optional dna sample saliva hypothesisfree datadriven methods used identify cognitive behavioural neural dimensions learning difficulties machinelearning approaches used map multidimensional space cognitive neural behavioural measures identify clusters children shared profiles finally group comparisons used test theories development disorderour multisystems approach identifying causes learning difficulties heterogeneous sample struggling learners provides novel way enhance understanding common complex needs majority children struggle school broad recruitment criteria targeting children cognitive learning problems irrespective diagnoses comorbidities novel make sample unique dataset also provide valuable resource genetic imaging cognitive developmental data scientific community