How socioeconomic factors affect brain development in children and adolescents

An integrative multisite study of the influence of socioeconomic disparities on hippocampal subfields developmental trajectories

NIH-funded research Wayne State University · NIH-10901904

This study looks at how differences in family income and neighborhood conditions affect the growth of important memory areas in the brains of children and teens, helping us understand how their environment can shape their brain development over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWayne State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project IDNIH-10901904 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how socioeconomic disparities influence the development of specific areas within the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and learning. By examining children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, the study aims to identify how variations in household and neighborhood socioeconomic status impact brain structure over time. The research employs advanced imaging techniques to track changes in hippocampal subfields, providing insights into the relationship between environment and brain development. Ultimately, this work seeks to clarify the developmental trajectories of these brain regions and their vulnerability to socioeconomic factors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 4 to 20 from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the specified age range or who come from homogeneous socioeconomic backgrounds may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of how socioeconomic factors affect cognitive development, potentially informing interventions to support at-risk populations.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that socioeconomic factors can significantly impact brain development, suggesting that this study builds on established findings rather than exploring entirely novel territory.

Where this research is happening

Detroit, 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.