Today, on World Brain Day, we’re proud to shine a light on the work we do at the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC).

The theme for World Brain Day 2025 is “Brain Health for All Ages,” continuing global efforts to promote brain health as a lifelong priority.

The day aims to raise awareness about brain health and promote neurological research. Established by the World Federation of Neurology, World Brain Day highlights the importance of brain health and the ongoing need for research, education, and innovation to combat neurological disorders. It also serves as an inspiration for young minds to explore the complexities of the human brain and contribute to advancements in neuroscience.

The INFANT Research Centre is a hub of world-leading research and innovation, dedicated to improving outcomes during pregnancy, the newborn period, and early childhood.

A core focus of our research is the newborn brain, understanding it, protecting it, and ensuring the best possible start for every child.

We have achieved a number of milestones in Brain Health over the years and continue to do so, here are some of the highlights:

  • Developed innovative technologies to detect brain injuries in newborns.
  • Translated our innovative research into spin-out companies focusing on newborn brain health, including Cergenx and NeuroBell and continue to develop new technologies.
  • Collaborated on international studies, including the Baby BRAiN Project, which aimed to improve our understanding of newborn brain injury in Uganda and examined the impacts of events around the time of birth on both the baby’s brain and the child’s longer-term outcomes.

➡️ Read more: https://www.infantcentre.ie/2024/12/03/lancet-publication/

INFANT conducts a number of research projects prioritising newborn brain health, one particular project is called ELEVATE, a five-year research programme which is focused on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of brain injury and cerebral palsy in infants, particularly during the critical window of neuroplasticity (up to 2 years of age). INFANT is leading this programme in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin(TCD), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Ireland’s tertiary-level maternity hospitals. It’s funded under a Strategic Partnership Programme by Research Ireland and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF).

ELEVATE aims to establish Ireland as a world-leading hub for CP research and innovation.

Together, we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary collaboration to transform the landscape of CP research and care.

The goal: to improve outcomes and quality of life for children with CP, their families and carers in Ireland and globally.

➡️ Learn more about the programme: https://www.infantcentre.ie/research/elevate/

➡️ Read an Interview with Prof Deirdre Murray, the CPF Chair of Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy: (10) Cerebral Palsy Foundation Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy: Professor Deirdre Murray, One Year On – 6th Oct 2024 | LinkedIn

đź’ˇ Why It Matters

This World Brain Day, we recognise our incredible researchers, clinicians, and collaborators who are working every day to ensure every child has the best possible start in life.

Through science, innovation, and collaboration, we continue to advance the field of brain health, starting at the very beginning.