How pregnancy changes the brain over time
Longitudinal investigation of neuroplasticity during pregnancy using multiple imaging modalities
This project follows pregnant people with repeated MRI scans to track brain changes during pregnancy and how those changes may relate to mood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263646 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be followed through pregnancy as part of a group of 100 pregnant people who each get four MRI visits spread across pregnancy. The team uses advanced brain imaging—structural MRI, diffusion MRI, and functional MRI—to look at changes in brain structure and connectivity over time. Scans are scheduled with an accelerated design so not every person has every timepoint but the group covers the full pregnancy timeline. The multidisciplinary team (neuroscience, peripartum mental health, bioethics, and maternal–fetal medicine) manages safety and links imaging with mood and mental-health measures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people who are early enough in pregnancy to complete scheduled visits, are comfortable with MRI, and can travel to the study site would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, have contraindications to MRI (for example certain implants), or cannot travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify brain changes tied to peripartum mood problems and help guide earlier detection or tailored support for pregnant people.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller prior and preliminary longitudinal MRI studies of pregnant people have shown the approach is feasible and suggest pregnancy-related brain changes, but larger studies are needed to confirm links to mental health.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Humphreys, Kathryn Leigh — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Humphreys, Kathryn Leigh
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.