How the environment affects brain development and substance use in youth
Official title: Environmental Influences on Neurocognitive Development of Control and Adolescent Substance Use
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10982584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how things like air quality and neighborhood design affect the brain development of teenagers and their chances of developing substance use issues, with the hope of finding ways to help at-risk youth and improve their futures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,304 |
| NIH project number | 1K01DA059598-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for substance use disorders due to their environmental conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 12 to 20 or who do not have any environmental risk factors for substance use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how various physical environmental factors, such as air pollution and neighborhood design, influence brain development and the risk of substance use disorders in adolescents. By analyzing the relationship between brain architecture and cognitive functions like attention and executive control, the study aims to identify at-risk youth and inform prevention strategies. The project will utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques and data analysis to create predictive models of cognitive development trajectories. Ultimately, the goal is to understand how environmental influences can lead to better outcomes for young people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for substance use disorders in adolescents by addressing environmental risk factors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental factors significantly impact cognitive development and substance use behaviors, suggesting that this approach has the potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kardan, Omid — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kardan, Omid
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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.