How maternal childhood experiences affect brain development in infants
Maternal Childhood Maltreatment-Influenced Prenatal Programming of Early Brain-Behavior and Risk for Future Psychopathology
This study looks at how tough experiences that mothers go through in childhood can affect their babies' brain development while they're still in the womb, especially in a part of the brain that helps with emotions, and it hopes to find ways to support better connections between mothers and their babies to prevent future emotional challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914289 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how childhood maltreatment experienced by mothers can influence the brain development of their infants during pregnancy. It focuses on the amygdala, a brain region involved in emotion regulation, and examines how its connectivity is programmed in utero. By using advanced brain imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the potential risks for emotional and behavioral issues in children that may arise from these early influences. The findings could help identify critical periods for early intervention to improve mother-infant interactions and reduce the risk of future psychopathology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women with a history of childhood maltreatment and their newborns.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of childhood maltreatment or are not pregnant may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for early intervention in infants at risk for emotional and behavioral problems due to maternal childhood trauma.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of maternal experiences on child development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babineau, Vanessa — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Babineau, Vanessa
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.