How early-life nutrition affects Ghanaian teens' brains, bodies, and behavior
Effects of early-life nutritional supplementation on the brains, bodies, and behaviors of Ghanaian youths in middle adolescence
This follow-up checks if giving small nutrient-rich supplements to mothers and infants leads to better brain development, growth, and behavior in Ghanaian teens.
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-11051040 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child were in the original trial, researchers will bring back teens aged about 14–16 for exams and tests. They will compare those whose mothers and infants received small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) with teens from the control group whose mothers received micronutrient capsules. The visit includes brain scans, measurements of height and pubertal development, tests of stress hormones and nervous-system regulation, and questionnaires about behavior and the home environment. The team will use these data to see whether early supplementation produced lasting changes in brain structure, growth, and biobehavioral functioning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Ghanaian adolescents about 14–16 years old who took part in the original trial as children or whose mothers enrolled during pregnancy.
Not a fit: People who were not part of the original trial, live outside the study area, or are much younger or older than the target age are unlikely to participate or receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If positive, the findings could support programs that use small, affordable nutrient supplements in pregnancy and infancy to improve long-term brain, growth, and behavioral outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier follow-up of this same group at age 10–12 found benefits in brain white-matter structure, height, and pubertal measures, though adolescent long-term effects still need clarification.
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.