Healthy Brain and Child Development across the first 10 years
Official title: 5/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11518966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant supports a large study following 7,200 mothers and their babies across 27 US sites to map how early life experiences shape brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,275,325 |
| NIH project number | 4U01DA055353-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Families expecting a baby or with a child up to age 10, across diverse backgrounds, who participate in imaging, assessments, and biospecimen collection.
✕Less likely to help
Families not able to participate due to medical or logistical reasons may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project will use brain imaging (MRI, EEG), behavioral tests, physiological and psychological tools, and biospecimens to chart normal developmental trajectories from birth to age 10. A harmonized protocol and extensive data sharing will create a rich resource for researchers while focusing on how prenatal and early-life environments influence outcomes. Families participate through assessments and biosample collection, with data destined to support future understanding and care for neurodevelopmental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve how we identify and support children at risk for neurodevelopmental issues from early life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in neurodevelopment have shown that early environments influence brain development, and this project aims to harmonize data across a large cohort for broader insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grant, Patricia Ellen — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Grant, Patricia Ellen
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Healthy Brain and Child Development study across 27 sites
This project studies how genes and early-life environments affect brain development in thousands of babies and young children.
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Healthy Brain and Child Development study across 27 sites
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Healthy Brain and Child Development in the US: a large, multi-site study of early life factors
A large nationwide study follows mothers and their babies from birth to age 10 to understand how genes and early life experiences shape brain development.
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Healthy Brain and Child Development: a big study following kids from birth through age 10
A large, nationwide study will follow 7,200 mothers and their babies to map how early life experiences shape brain growth and development.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.