How early life challenges affect children's cellular aging
Early Life Adversity and the Developmental Programming of Early Childhood Telomere Biology: A Longitudinal Study of Developmental Context and Behavioral Mediators
['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-10867440
This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood, like growing up in poverty or dealing with family conflicts, can affect how quickly kids age on a cellular level, and it’s for families who want to understand the long-term effects of these challenges on their children's health.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10867440 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates how experiences of adversity in early life, such as poverty and parental conflict, impact the biological aging of children, specifically focusing on telomeres, which are markers of cellular aging. By following a group of 200 children over three years, the study aims to understand how these early adversities are biologically embedded and how factors like parenting quality and children's self-regulation may mediate these effects. The research employs a longitudinal approach, collecting data at multiple points to track changes in telomere length and other biological markers of aging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-3 years who have experienced early life adversities.
Not a fit: Children who have not faced any significant early life adversities may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for reducing health risks associated with early life adversity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early life adversity can have lasting biological effects, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GARRETT-PETERS, PATRICIA — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: GARRETT-PETERS, PATRICIA
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.