How early-life metal exposures may shape teen risk-taking
Longitudinal study of metal mixtures and the developmental origins of adolescent risk-taking
['FUNDING_R01'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11368958
This project looks at whether exposure to metals like lead, manganese, and zinc in early life changes how children think, feel, and take risks as teenagers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11368958 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a parent or teen's point of view, the team follows children tracked from pregnancy into adolescence and uses a novel tooth-based biomarker to reconstruct early metal exposures. They combine those exposure histories with repeated brain MRI scans and neuropsychological tests across childhood and the teen years. By modeling how behavior and brain measures change over time, they aim to link early metal mixtures to developmental paths that lead to unhealthy risk-taking. The work builds on earlier findings that certain metals are tied to emotional and neural differences in preadolescence and extends those findings by following kids through adolescence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents who were enrolled in the long-term PROGRESS cohort from pregnancy or who have early-life exposure data and can attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People without early-life exposure information, outside the relevant age range, or unable to attend in-person MRI and testing visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify early exposure patterns that increase the chance of unhealthy risk-taking and inform prevention or early intervention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work, including from this team, has linked early metal exposures to emotional and neural differences, but applying longitudinal brain and behavioral tracking to predict adolescent risk-taking is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HORTON, MEGAN K — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: HORTON, MEGAN K
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.