How air pollution and temperature affect children's brain development
A national study on the effects of air pollution and temperature on children's neurodevelopmental outcomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11235848
This project looks at whether exposure to air pollution and heat before and after birth changes learning, attention, and behavior in young children.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11235848 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are linking a national birth cohort of more than four million pregnancies to environmental data on PM2.5, NO2, O3, PM2.5 chemical components, and temperature to see how these exposures relate to autism and ADHD. They will examine exposures during pregnancy and early childhood, look for windows of greatest vulnerability, and test how pollutants and heat interact. The team will also study whether socioeconomic status changes these relationships. The work uses existing health and address records combined with air quality and temperature models rather than new clinic visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with linked prenatal and early-life residential and health records, especially those with diagnoses or concerns for autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, are the population this work focuses on.
Not a fit: Children who lack linked health or address records or whose exposures cannot be estimated from available data are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could highlight preventable environmental risks and inform policies or guidance to reduce children's exposure and lower rates of neurodevelopmental problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous epidemiological studies have suggested links between air pollution and neurodevelopment but results have been mixed, and this larger national analysis aims to clarify specific pollutants, timing, and interactions.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PAPATHEODOROU, STEFANIA — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: PAPATHEODOROU, STEFANIA
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 below.
Conditions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Autistic Disorder