Machine-learning algorithms can now estimate the “brain age” of infants with unprecedented precision by analyzing electrical brain signals recorded using electroencephalography (EEG).

A team led by Sarah Lippé at Université de Montréal’s Department of Psychology has developed a method that can determine in minutes whether a baby’s brain development is advanced, delayed or in line with their chronological age.

This breakthrough promises to enable early screening and personalized monitoring of developmental disorders in babies.