How childhood deprivation affects brain development and mental health
Official title: Early Childhood Deprivation and Psychopathology: Identifying Neurodevelopmental Pathways of Risk
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11070652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood, like neglect, can change the way our brains develop and might lead to mental health challenges later on, and it will follow kids over time to see how these changes happen as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,572 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH136728-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, particularly deprivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced any form of childhood adversity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how experiences of deprivation during childhood, such as neglect, can lead to changes in brain development and increase the risk of mental health issues later in life. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify specific brain pathways that are affected by early adverse experiences. The research will follow children over time to understand how these changes evolve from early childhood through adolescence. This approach seeks to fill gaps in existing knowledge about the long-term effects of childhood adversity on mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for children at risk of developing mental health disorders due to early deprivation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of childhood adversity on mental health, but this study aims to explore new neurodevelopmental pathways, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lurie, Lucy — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lurie, Lucy
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.