How childhood abuse affects the neurodevelopment of children
Maternal Exposure to Childhood Abuse and Disparities in Offspring Neurodevelopment: Identifying Mechanisms
This study looks at how a mother's experiences of childhood abuse might affect her child's brain development, especially in relation to issues like anxiety, depression, and ADHD, by examining changes in hormones and the immune system during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10808850 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal childhood abuse on the neurodevelopment of their children, focusing on identifying biological mechanisms that may contribute to increased risks of conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. By analyzing hormonal and immune system dysregulation during pregnancy, the study aims to uncover pathways that could explain why children of abused mothers are more vulnerable to neurodevelopmental deficits. The research involves collecting biological samples from a large group of pregnant women to assess these systems and their effects on offspring development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who have a history of childhood abuse.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced childhood abuse or are not pregnant may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in children of mothers who experienced childhood abuse.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that maternal stress and abuse can negatively impact child development, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andrea L. Roberts, Andrea L. Roberts Andrea L. Roberts — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Andrea L. Roberts, Andrea L. Roberts Andrea L. Roberts
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.