How atopic dermatitis affects children's brain function
Official title: Impact of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis on Neurocognitive Function
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11061116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how eczema might affect kids' thinking and learning skills, and it’s for children who have eczema to help find ways to support their learning better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $169,559 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AR077629-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-16 years who are currently experiencing active atopic dermatitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have atopic dermatitis or are older than 16 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, and cognitive function in children. It aims to understand how severe or persistent eczema may lead to learning disabilities, inattention, and memory issues. The study will utilize data from a large longitudinal cohort of over 14,000 individuals and will also enroll children currently experiencing atopic dermatitis. By identifying modifiable risk factors, the research seeks to provide insights that could improve cognitive outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management strategies for cognitive impairments associated with atopic dermatitis in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential cognitive impacts of chronic skin conditions, but this specific investigation into atopic dermatitis and cognition is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wan, Joy — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wan, Joy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Stopping Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy: Preventing Food Allergy by Protecting the Skin
A large study in infants at high risk for allergies tests whether using a skin barrier cream together with early, proactive skin care can prevent peanut allergy and other food allergies.
-
SEAL Study: Preventing peanut allergy by protecting baby skin
This trial tests whether using a skin-emollient and proactive skin steroids early in life can prevent peanut allergy in high-risk infants.
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SEAL Study: Prevent allergy by protecting the baby’s skin
A very young group of high-risk babies will try a early skin-care plan to reduce eczema and prevent peanut allergy.
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Understanding how skin fungi affect atopic dermatitis in adults
A study will look at how the skin's fungal community influences atopic dermatitis in adults and whether this understanding could lead to new treatments.
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Preventing eczema-related allergies by strengthening infants' skin barrier
This project will see if using a trilipid skin cream plus proactive mild topical steroids in infants with early dry skin or eczema lowers their chances of developing food allergies.
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Personalized predictions for how atopic dermatitis may progress in kids and teens
A patient-friendly plan to forecast how early-onset eczema might evolve in children and young people using simple health clues and data from diverse settings.
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.