Long-term brain imaging and thinking skills in people born very premature
Official title: Neuroimaging and Neuropsychological Outcomes Spanning from 0 to 27 years in Individuals Born Very Preterm
Funded at Children's Hospital of Orange County · NIH-11378747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study follows people born very preterm to see how their brain structure and thinking skills change from birth through early adulthood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Orange County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orange, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,587 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD117563-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adults born very preterm (around 32 weeks) and a comparison group born full-term, with prior participation in VIBeS imaging and neurodevelopmental assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of very preterm birth are not the target of this study.
What this research studies
This project tracks individuals born very preterm and compares them with those born full-term to map how brain structure and blood flow evolve from birth to age 27. It uses repeated brain MRI scans and detailed cognitive tests to understand how early differences relate to language, memory, and executive function as young adults. The study builds on prior assessments at years 2, 5, 7, 13, 7 and 13, now adding 20- and 27-year follow-ups to capture the transition into adulthood. Results aim to clarify how brain development trajectories link to cognitive outcomes and aging in VP survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help clinicians identify VP individuals at risk for cognitive or aging-related challenges and guide early interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior follow-ups show meaningful links between early brain development and later cognitive outcomes, and this study extends that work into adulthood.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Orange County
Orange, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Inder, Terrie E — Children's Hospital of Orange County
- Study coordinator: Inder, Terrie E
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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.