Healthy Brain and Child Development study network
Official title: 17/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11518969 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large national effort will follow thousands of mothers and infants from birth to age 10 to map how genes and environments shape brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,572,629 |
| NIH project number | 4U01DA055371-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518969 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Mothers and infants enrolled at participating sites who consent to long-term follow-up and data collection.
✕Less likely to help
Families who are not enrolled or who do not meet the harmonized protocol requirements may not receive direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project brings together 27 sites to collect MRI, EEG, behavioral data, and biospecimens from 7,200 mothers and their babies. It aims to create a big, harmonized picture of how prenatal and early-life experiences influence child development over the first decade. Researchers will use standardized protocols and shared data to understand neurodevelopmental trajectories and how adverse experiences may affect outcomes. Participation would involve imaging, assessments, and sample collection over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform better prevention and support strategies for children at risk of developmental difficulties.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies with large harmonized protocols have yielded valuable benchmarks and opened paths for targeted interventions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Sylia — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Sylia
Related research
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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
A nationwide study follows mothers and infants from pregnancy through early childhood to map how genes and environments shape brain development and behavior.
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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.