NIH-funded research Career grant

Identifying early signs of behavior issues in at-risk infants

Official title: Characterizing early signs of neurobehavioral dysregulation in infants at increased risk for behavioral disorders

Funded at Duke University · NIH-11052927 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how to spot early signs of behavior challenges in babies who might be at risk, especially those exposed to nicotine before birth, so we can help them get the right support as they grow.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startSeptember 4, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$98,830
NIH project number1K99MH136292-01A1
Project IDNIH-11052927 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include infants under 1 year of age who have been exposed to prenatal nicotine or exhibit early signs of behavioral dysregulation.

Less likely to help

Patients who are older than 3 years or do not have any identified risk factors for behavioral disorders may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the early signs of neurobehavioral dysregulation in infants who are at increased risk for behavioral disorders, particularly those exposed to prenatal nicotine. By examining various developmental factors such as attention, motor skills, and sleep patterns, the study aims to identify infants who may be more likely to develop persistent behavioral issues like ADHD. The approach involves using advanced methodologies to categorize these infants into distinct risk groups, which could lead to more tailored interventions. The research will utilize multiple constructs to assess behavior and development over time.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for infants at risk of developing behavioral disorders, potentially improving long-term outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying early behavioral markers in at-risk populations, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Duke University
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Maylott, Sarah E. — Duke University
  • Study coordinator: Maylott, Sarah E.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
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Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.