Long-term brain and health tracking for children and teens in Milwaukee
11/21 ABCD-USA Consortium: Research Project Site at UWM
Following children starting at age 9–10 into their teens and early adulthood to learn how their brains, health, behaviors, and life experiences change over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin Milwaukee NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11302694 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows a large, diverse group of children who received detailed baseline tests including brain MRI, thinking and memory tests, bio-samples, and questions about health, substance use, and family and school life. Participants return for in-person, in-depth visits every two years with shorter annual interviews and mobile app check-ins in between. The Milwaukee site is one of 21 across the country working to keep families involved through adolescence and into young adulthood. The goal is to track how experiences and biology interact so researchers can better understand mental health, substance use, and learning over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children around 9–10 years old (and their caregivers) who can attend periodic visits at the Milwaukee site and complete imaging and interviews.
Not a fit: Children outside the target age range, those with contraindications to MRI, or families unwilling to participate in follow-up visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors, schools, and families spot risks earlier and design better prevention and supports for youth mental health, substance use, and learning challenges.
How similar studies have performed: Prior longitudinal brain-imaging cohort studies have yielded useful insights, and ABCD is larger and more detailed than earlier efforts.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lisdahl, Krista Maurine — University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Study coordinator: Lisdahl, Krista Maurine
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 below.