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Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
  1. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
  2. Research
  3. Research labs
  4. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab
  5. Research

Several projects within our research group aim to investigate the relationship between anatomical and functional characteristics of the fetal brain and later functional language localization, language-associated white matter fiber bundles, and language abilities in healthy children. This knowledge is intended to facilitate the development of early diagnostic markers for the maturity and integrity of the neural correlates of language.
 

 

Funded Projects:

 

Selected Publications:

  • Mandl S, Kienast P, Kasprian G, Fischmeister FPhS, Weiskopf A, Ringelmann E, Tischer J, Weber M, Hadole A, Seidl R, Bartha-Doering L (2026) Predictive value of fetal superior temporal sulcus asymmetry for neonatal speech discrimination. Brain Communications 13:fcag048. doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag048
  • Mandl S, Alexopoulos J, Doering S, Wildner B, Seidl R, Bartha-Doering L (2024) The effect of prenatal maternal  distress on offspring brain development: A systematic review. Early Human Development 192: 106009. DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106009
  • Bartha-Doering L, Kollndorfer K, Schwartz E, Fischmeister F, Langs G, Weber M, Lackner-Schmelz S, Kienast P, Stümpflen M, Taymourtash A, Mandl S, Alexopoulos J, Prayer D, Seidl R, Kasprian G (2023) Fetal temporal sulcus depth asymmetry has prognostic value for language development. Communications Biology 6: 109. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04503-z
  • Stuempflen M, Schwartz E, Diogo M, Glatter S, Pfeiler B, Kienast P, Taymourtash A, Schmidbauer V, Bartha-Doering L, Krampl-Bettelheim E, Seidl R, Langs G, Prayer, Kasprian G (2023) Fetal MRI based brain atlas analysis detects initial in utero effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Cerebral Cortex 33:6852-6861. DOI:10.1093/cercor/bhad005
  • Bartha-Doering L, Kollndorfer K, Schwartz E, Fischmeister F, Langs G, Weber M, Lackner-Schmelz S, Kienast P, Stümpflen M, Taymourtash A, Mandl S, Alexopoulos J, Prayer D, Seidl R, Kasprian G (2023) Fetal temporal sulcus depth asymmetry has prognostic value for language development. Communications Biology 6: 109. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04503-z
  • Stuempflen M, Schwartz E, Diogo M, Glatter S, Pfeiler B, Kienast P, Taymourtash A, Schmidbauer V, Bartha-Doering L, Krampl-Bettelheim E, Seidl R, Langs G, Prayer, Kasprian G (2023) Fetal MRI based brain atlas analysis detects initial in utero effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Cerebral Cortex 33:6852-6861. DOI:10.1093/cercor/bhad005

News & Media zu diesem Projekt:

The corpus callosum  represents the major interhemispheric white matter tract and plays an important role in the transmission of signals between hemispheres. The corpus callosum is thought to influence language abilities through its involvement in the development of the functional network organization. We are interested in the specific role of the corpus callosum in the functional organization between hemispheres from fetal stage to adulthood. For this aim, we investigate structural and functional neural connectivity and language development in children with corpus callosum agenesis. Moreover, we examine the association of language abilities and neural features of the corpus callosum in typically developing children.

 

Funded projects:

Selected publications:

  • Bartha-Doering L, Roberts D, Baumgartner B, Yildirim MS, Giordano V, Spagna A, Pal-Handl K, Javorszky SM, Kasprian G, Seidl R (2024) Developmental Surface Dyslexia and Dysgraphia in a Child with Corpus Callosum Agenesis: An Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. Cognitive Neuropsychology accepted. DOI: 10.1080/02643294.2024.2368876

  • Mandl S, Kienast P, Kollndorfer K, Kasprian G, Weber M, Seidl R, Bartha-Doering L (2023) Larger corpus callosum volume is favorable for theory of mind development in healthy children. Cerebral Cortex 33: 11197-11205. DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad353

  • Bartha-Doering L, Kollndorfer K, Schwartz E, Fischmeister FPS, Alexopoulos J, Langs G, Prayer D, Kasprian G, Seidl R (2021) The role of the corpus callosum in language network connectivity in children. Developmental Science 24: e13031. DOI: 10.1111/desc.13031

    Bartha-Doering L, Schwartz E, Kollndorfer K, Fischmeister FPS, Novak A, Langs G, Werneck H, Prayer D, Seidl R, Kasprian G (2021) Effect of corpus callosum agenesis on the language network in children and adolescents. Brain Structure and Function 226: 701-713. DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02203-6

 

  • We are interested in the relationship between neural language localization and language functioning in children with very early brain pathologies. We therefore use fNIRS, fMRI, and comprehensive neuropsychological measurements to investigate the language network and language abilities in neonates, infants, and toddlers up to teens and young adults with different brain pathologies.

 

Funded projects:

Selected Publications:

Mandl S, Baldassari J, Ringelmann E, Moestl S, Bartha-Doering L*, Seidl R* (2026) Motor-free visual perception and visuomotor integration in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology 63:14-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2026.06.010

Nenning K, Fischmeister FPhS, Novak A, Seidl R, Ovadia-Caro S, Xu T, Kasprian G, Bartha-Doering L, Kollndorfer K (2025) Spatio-Temporal Signatures of Cognitive Function After Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke—A Pilot Study. Human Brain Mapping 46: e70248. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.70248 

Kollndorfer K, Fischmeister FPhS, Novak A, Seidl R, Kasprian G, Bartha-Doering L (2025) The impact of lesion size on executive function performance in children and adolescents after pediatric stroke. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology in press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2025.02.006

Mandl S, Novak A, Kollndorfer K, Seidl R, Bartha-Doering L (2023) Visuospatial processing skills following unilateral arterial ischemic stroke in childhood. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology in press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.01.008

Bartha-Doering L, Gleiss A, Knaus S, Schmook MT, Seidl R (2020) Influence of socioeconomic status on cognitive outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 63(4):465-471. DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14779.

Bartha-Doering L, Novak A, Kollndorfer K, Schuler AL, Kasprian G, Langs G, Schwartz E, Fischmeister FPS, Prayer D, Seidl R (2019) Atypical language representation is unfavorable for language abilities following childhood stroke. European Journal of Paediatric Neurology 23: 102-116. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2018.09.007

Licandro R, Nenning KH, Schwartz E, Kollndorfer K, Bartha-Doering L, Langs G (2016) Changing Functional Connectivity in the Child's Developing Brain Affected by Ischaemic Stroke. Proceedings of MICCAI 2016.

 

News & Media on this project:

 

Ansicht der Forschergruppe von oben
© Christoph Reuter

In close collaboration with Christoph Reuter from the Musicological Department of the University of Vienna and Matthias Bertsch from the Department of Music Physiology, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, we investigate sound and noise environment of preterm born infants nursed within an incubator at the NICU and its influence on cognitive development.

Selected publications:

  • Giordano V, Mandl S, Bartha-Doering L, Reuter C, Bertsch MA, Wildner B, Stummer S, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Maeder M, Berger A, Deindl P (2026) What's That Noise – Tackling Sound Pollution in the NICU: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Pediatrics 14:1798036. doi.org/10.3389/fped.2026.1798036

  • Giordano V, Kim JS, Arnon S, Berger A, Gold C (2026) Challenges and limitations of evaluating the efficacy of music intervention for preterm infants: auditory development, methodological heterogeneity, medical complexity, parental involvement and environmental barriers. Frontiers in Pediatrics 14:1716416. doi: 10.3389/fped.2026.1716416

  • Stummer S, Reuter C, Czedik-Eysenberg I, Bertsch M, Klebermass-Schrehoff K, Mader J, Buchmayer J, Bartha-Doering L, Berger A, Giordano V (2024) Every breath you take. Frontiers in Pediatrics 12: 1379249. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1379249

  • Reuter C, Bartha-Doering L, Czedik-Eysenberg I, Maeder M, Bertsch M, Bibl K, Deindl P, Giordano V (2023) Living in a box – understanding acoustic parameters in the NICU environment. Frontiers in Pediatrics 11: 1147226. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1147226
  • Giordano V, Luister A, Reuter C, Czedik-Eysenberg I, Singer D, Steyrl D, Vettorazzi E, Deindl P (2022) Audio feature analysis for acoustic pain dedection in term newborns. Neonatology 119:760-768. DOI: 10.1159/000526209
  • Bertsch M, Reuter C, Czedik-Eysenberg I, Berger A, Olischar M, Bartha-Doering L, Giordano V (2020) The "Sound of Silence" in a neonatal intensive care unit - Listening to speech and music inside an incubator. Frontiers in Psychology 11:1055. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01055

News & Media to this research:

 

Language deficits are among the most commonly reported neurodevelopmental deficits in preterm born children. In a large longitudinal study, we investigate preterm born neonates using fNIRS and assess their language development years later with the aim to find early neurobiological markers of later language deficits. Early detection of deficits enhances early intervention possibilities and thus increases the chance to ameliorate language developmental delays.

 

 

 

Selected publications:

  • Pointner N, Savran D, Mader J, Steinbauer P, Berger A, Fuiko R, Steyrl D, Giordano V (2026)  Prediction of Language Development in Neonates Born at Less than 32 Weeks of Gestation.  Journal of Pediatrics 290: 114959. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114959
  • Bartha-Doering L, Giordano V, Mandl S, Benavides-Varela S, Weiskopf A, Mader J, Andrejevic J, Adrian N, Ashmawy LE, Appel P, Seidl R, Doering S, Berger A, Alexopoulos J (2025) Lateralization of Neural Speech Discrimination at Birth Is a Predictor for Later Language Development. Developmental Science 28:e13609. DOI: 10.1111/desc.13609
  • Alexopoulos J, Giordano V, Doering S, Seidl R, Benavides-Varela S, Russwurm M, Greenwood S, Berger A, Bartha-Doering L (2022) Sex differences in neural processing of speech in neonates. Cortex 157: 117-128. DOI:10.1016/j.cortex.2022.09.007
  • Alexopoulos J, Giordano V, Janda C, Benavides-Varela S, Seidl R, Doering S, Berger A, Bartha-Doering L (2021) The duration of intrauterine development influences discrimination of speech prosody in infants. Developmental  Science 4: e13110. DOI: 10.1111/desc.13110
  • Giordano V, Alexopoulos J, Spagna A, Benavides-Varela S, Peganc K, Kothgassner OD, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Olischar M, Berger  A, Bartha-Doering L (2021) Accent discrimination abilities during the first days of life: An fNIRS study. Brain and Language 223:105039. DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2021.105039
  • Bartha-Doering L, Alexopoulos J, Giordano V, Stelzer L, Kainz T, Benavides-Varela S, Wartenburger I, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Olischar M, Seidl R, Berger A (2019) Absence of neural speech discrimination in preterm infants at term-equivalent age. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 39: 100679. DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2019.100679

News & Media on this project:

 

In cooperation with Manfred Hartmann from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), we develop automated EEG trend analyses by using machine learning methods with the aim to a) get information on brain maturation, b) detect brain abnormalities/injuries,  c) determine timing and evolution of brain injuries,  d) determine timing of intervention, e) help making decision on therapy continuation/adaptation, and f) add prognostic value.

 

Funded projects:

 

Selected Publications:

  • Mader J, Hartmann M, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Werther T, Dressler A, Oberdorfer L, Pointner N, Fuiko R, Berger A, Kluge T, Giordano V (2026) Automated estimation of EEG maturity in preterm neonates and its association with long-term outcome.  Clinical Neurophysiology 181: 2111432. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2025.2111432
  • Mader J, Hartmann M, Dressler A, Oberdorfer L, Rona Z, Glatter S, Czaba-Hnizdo C, Herta J, Kluge T, Werther T, Berger A, Koren J, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Giordano V (2024) Adaptive threshold algorithm for detecting EEG-interburst intervals in extremely preterm neonates. Physiological Measurement 45:095017. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ad7c05
Abbildung des Aufmerksamkeitspraradigmas
© Vito Giordano

Attention is a core neuropsychological component, and a prerequisite for good cognitive functioning, allowing one to think and act in flexible and complex ways, to establish goals of an action, and to organize oneself in conflictual situations. It also works as a filter for further intellectual abilities. Attentional problems can directly or indirectly lead to problems in other cognitive domains, as well as to developmental and psychiatric disorders, for example oppositional behavior disorder, hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression. Thus, attention deficits can have a significant impact on the daily life of children and adults. We are interested in the developmental trajectories of attention, from preterm born neonates to children and adolescents. With this knowledge, we aim at developing early detection of attentional deficits and early intervention in affected children.

 

Selected publications:

  • Steinbauer P, Kühnl J, Pichler K, Stummer S, Klebermass-Schrehof K, Deindl P, Lindtner C, Olischar M, Brandstetter S, Fuiko R, Berger A, Giordano V (2025) Cognitive, motor, and behavioral outcomes in preterm infants exposed to opioids. Pediatric Research 98: 918–927. DOI: 10.1038/s41390-025-04048-3
  • Giordano V, Fuiko R, Leiss U, Brandstetter S, Hayde M, Bartha-Doering L, Klebermaß-Schrehof K, Weiler LJ (2017) Differences in attentional functioning between preterm and full-term children underline the importance of new neuropsychological detection techniques. Acta Paediatrica 106:601-611. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13723
  • Casagrande M, Marotta A, Martella D, Volpari E, Agostini F, Favieri F, Forte G, Rea M, Ferri R, Giordano V, Doricchi F, Giovannoli J (2022) Assessing the three attentional networks in children from three to six years: A child-friendly version of the Attentional Network Test for Interaction. Behavioral Research Methods 54(3):1403-1415. DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01668-5

 

Preterm infants are frequently exposed to pain during their hospital stay as a result of the medical procedures required for their care. Whether these early painful experiences have long-term effects on stress responses or behavioural development has not yet been conclusively determined. Therefore, the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is conducting a research study on this topic.

The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the potential long-term effects of early pain on the development of preterm infants. Specifically, we seek to investigate whether, and to what extent, these early experiences influence long-term stress responses and behavioural development. Through this research, we hope to contribute to improving future medical care and support strategies, ultimately promoting the well-being of preterm infants and helping to minimise potential long-term adverse effects.

 

Selected Publications:

  • Deindl P, Luister A, Vettorazzi E, Pointner N, Singer D, Berger A, Wagner M, Giordano V (2025) Eyes on Newborns: How NICU Staff's Attention and Emotions Shape Neonatal Pain Assessment. European Journal of Pain 29:e4791. DOI: 10.1002/ejp.4791
  • Giordano V, Luister A, Vettorazzi E, Wonka K, Pointner N, Steinbauer P, Wagner M, Berger A, Singer D, Deindl P (2024). Comparative analysis of artificial intelligence and expert assessments in detecting neonatal procedural pain. Scientific Report 14: 20374. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71278-6
  • Giordano V, Deindl P, Gal E, Unterasinger L, Fuiko R, Steinbauer P, Weninger M, Berger A, Olischar M (2023) Pain and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born very preterm. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 65:1043-1052. DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15505
  • Giordano V, Luister A, Reuter C, Czedik-Eysenberg I, Singer D, Steyrl D, Vettorazzi E, Deindl P (2022) Audio feature analysis for acoustic pain dedection in term newborns. Neonatology 119:760-768. DOI: 10.1159/000526209
  • Giordano V, Edobor J, Deindl P, Wildner B, Goeral K, Steinbauer P, Werther T, Berger A, Olischar M (2019) Pain and Sedation Scales for Neonatal and Pediatric Patients in a Preverbal Stage of Development (2019) A Systematic Review. JAMA Pediatrics 173: 1186-1197. DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3351