How maternal substance use and psychological risks affect children's brain and behavior.

Investigating the role of substance use exposure and maternal psychological risk on child neural and behavioral assessments of executive functioning

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10907523

This study looks at how a mother's use of substances during and after pregnancy affects her child's brain development and behavior, especially their ability to think and make decisions, to help families understand and support their children's needs better.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10907523 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of maternal substance use during pregnancy and beyond on children's brain development and behavior, particularly focusing on executive functioning. It aims to understand how both prenatal exposure to substances and ongoing household substance use, along with maternal psychological risks, influence children's cognitive outcomes. By analyzing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, the research will assess neural and behavioral measures of executive functioning in children aged 0-17. The goal is to provide insights that could inform interventions and support for affected families.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-17 who have been exposed to maternal substance use during pregnancy or live in households with ongoing substance use.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by maternal substance use or do not have any psychological risk factors associated with substance use may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for children affected by maternal substance use, enhancing their cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown significant effects of prenatal substance exposure on child development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.