We also conduct research on clinical and biochemical consequences of certain conditions that may entail intellectual disability, including brain infections, brain tumors, muscle dystrophies, and some metabolic disorders.
Our patients are persons with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders – with or without concomitant intellectual disability.
Projects
The use of wearable sensors to detect and reduce pain and discomfort in persons who are unable to communicate unequivocally
Some persons with severe intellectual disability, autism and/or cerebral palsy are unable to communicate unequivocally, because of a lack of language or motor control. The project aims to give persons, who are unable to communicate if they experience pain or discomfort, a means to do so by monitoring their heart rate (including heart rate variability), electrodermal activity, respiratory rate, movement etc.
To this end, we use wearable physiologic sensors combined with charting of the situational context in which changes in the monitored parameters occur.
Contact person: Bjørnar Hassel
App-based planning tool for greater predictability and independence for persons with intellectual disability: e-Plan
e-Plan is a digital tablet-based planning tool developed at the Department for Neurohabilitation, as an alternative to analogue planning tools.
The aim is to enhance predictability, participation, and independence for persons with intellectual disability.
e-Plan has an open platform and will be available in AppStore og Google Play. The user interface is simple and intuitive with a high degree of flexibility.
Contact person: Morten Berger
Biochemical aspects of brain infections (brain abscess) and brain tumors
Early brain infections and brain tumors may cause brain damage, developmental disability and/or epilepsy in children. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.
In collaboration with The Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, we analyze pus from brain abscesses and cyst fluid from cystic brain tumors to elucidate mechanisms of brain damage in these conditions.
Contact persons: Daniel Dahlberg and Bjørnar Hassel
Unmet medical needs among adults with muscular dystrophies
At The Department of Neurohabilitation we see patients who suffer from muscular dystrophies. Deterioration in these patients may be caused by various factors. In some, cognitive problems may interfere with the ability to obtain adequate health services. In this project, we analyze factors that influence the quality of follow-up of patients with muscular dystrophies.
Contact person: Anne Katrin T. Holmøy
Causes of autism: biomarkers and clinical trajectories
In collaboration with the multicenter project BUPGen, we study the immunology, metabolism, and genetics of autism. We also address the importance of nutrition in this patient group.
Contact person: Sigrun Hope
Habilitation for adults – evaluation of habilitation services for patients with Huntington disease
For more information, visit our website
Sexual health in people with intellectual disability
People with intellectual disability are at risk of being sexually assaulted, and some are at risk of committing sexual assault. There is a lack of knowledge on how to prevent sexual assault among persons with intellectual disability in Norway.
The project aims to identify factors that are important for the prevention of sexual misconduct and assault through focus group interviews with persons with intellectual disability and caregivers.
Contact person: Gøril Brevik Svae
Cooperation
CHARM; Research center for habilitation and rehabilitation services