Investigating how prenatal factors affect brain development and mental health in children

A national birth cohort study of prenatal factors and neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders

NIH-funded research New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10756456

This study looks at how certain substances in pregnant mothers' blood might affect the chances of their children developing schizophrenia or autism, hoping to find ways to support healthier brain development and mental health in kids.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10756456 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines the impact of maternal biomarkers of oxidative stress on the development of schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders in children. By analyzing a large national birth cohort from Finland, the study collects and evaluates prenatal serum samples from mothers to identify potential links between these biomarkers and psychiatric outcomes in their offspring. The research aims to understand how environmental exposures during pregnancy may influence brain development and mental health in children, providing insights into prevention and intervention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who are part of the Finnish Maternity Cohort and their offspring.

Not a fit: Patients who are not part of the Finnish Maternity Cohort or who are not pregnant may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of mental health disorders in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding prenatal factors related to mental health, but this specific approach is novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.
Conditions Mental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorderpsychological disorderMental disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.