How early-life nutrition affects Ghanaian teens' brain, body, and behavior
Effects of early-life nutritional supplementation on the brains, bodies, and behaviors of Ghanaian youths in middle adolescence
We are finding out whether giving small lipid-based nutrient supplements to mothers and infants leads to better brain, growth, and behavior outcomes for Ghanaian adolescents now aged about 14–16.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11375586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child were in the original trial, researchers will invite Ghanaian youths aged about 14–16 for in-person follow-up visits to compare those whose mothers/infants received small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) with those who did not. The team will collect brain imaging, growth and puberty measures, hormone tests, autonomic (heart-rate/nervous-system) checks, and behavioral and psychosocial questionnaires. This follow-up builds on earlier assessments at age 10–12 that suggested benefits in white matter brain structure, height, and pubertal development. Visits will include noninvasive scans, clinical exams, and sample collection to document whether early nutrition effects persist into middle adolescence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Ghanaian adolescents (about 14–16 years old) who participated in the original maternal/infant supplementation trial.
Not a fit: People who were not part of the original trial, live outside the study communities, are outside the target age range, or need immediate medical care should not expect direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could show lasting benefits of early SQ-LNS on adolescent brain development, growth, and behavior and help guide nutrition programs and policies.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier follow-up of this cohort at age 10–12 showed promising differences in white matter, height, and pubertal development, so this follow-up extends those prior positive findings.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hastings, Paul David — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hastings, Paul David
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.