Investigating how prenatal factors affect brain development and mental health in children
Official title: A national birth cohort study of prenatal factors and neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10756456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 6, 2020 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $548,012 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES030966-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10756456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who are part of the Finnish Maternity Cohort and their offspring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the Finnish Maternity Cohort or who are not pregnant may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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 State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Alan Stewart — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Brown, Alan Stewart
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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.