Linking childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with later-life brain diseases
Official title: LEGENNDS: Linking Epidemiology and GEnetics of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders Study
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11578724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large international study will look at whether early conditions like autism and ADHD are linked to higher risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or ALS later in life by analyzing health records and genetic data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $181,960 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS131433-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with childhood neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ASD, ADHD, ID) and their families who may be at risk for later neurodegenerative diseases.
✕Less likely to help
People without childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or without available long-term health data may be less directly affected.
What this research studies
We will combine health records from Sweden, Denmark, and the UK with genetic data to map how early neurodevelopmental conditions relate to later brain diseases. The project uses big existing datasets, including iPSYCH and UK Biobank, to study natural history, family clustering, and genetic connections between childhood disorders and late-life neurodegenerative diseases. The goal is to identify potential targets for interventions that could reduce future risk. The work will advance understanding of how early brain development impacts aging and brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier risk identification and new strategies to lower the chances of developing ADRD, PD, or ALS later in life.
How similar studies have gone: Precedents exist showing links between early neurodevelopmental conditions and later brain disorders, but this study expands to multiple countries and integrated genetic data.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Brian Kane — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Brian Kane
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.