How maternal childhood experiences affect brain development in infants
Official title: Maternal Childhood Maltreatment-Influenced Prenatal Programming of Early Brain-Behavior and Risk for Future Psychopathology
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10914289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $130,842 |
| NIH project number | 5K99HD110939-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women with a history of childhood maltreatment and their newborns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of childhood maltreatment or are not pregnant may not receive benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babineau, Vanessa — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Babineau, Vanessa
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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.