Long-term study of metal exposure and teen risk-taking
Official title: Longitudinal study of metal mixtures and the developmental origins of adolescent risk-taking
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11554477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study following people from birth into late adolescence to understand how early metal exposures relate to how teens think about and take risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $64,681 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES028927-08S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11554477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of early-life metal exposure and ongoing adolescence who are or could be part of the PROGRESS cohort or similar longitudinal studies.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not represented in neurodevelopmental or exposure cohorts may have less direct relevance to these specific aims.
What this research studies
This project follows the PROGRESS cohort to track metal exposure and brain and behavior changes from infancy through adolescence. It uses longitudinal data, including tooth biomarker metal levels and multiple MRI and neuropsychological assessments, to map how early environments influence risk-taking pathways. The aim is to identify developmental trajectories that explain why some youths engage in risky behaviors during adolescence. The study emphasizes noninvasive imaging and behavioral measures over time to capture dynamic brain development. Findings could inform strategies to support healthier decision-making in teens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how early exposures shape teen risk-taking could lead to targeted prevention efforts and healthier adolescent development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked metal exposures to neurobehavioral changes, but this project extends findings by following trajectories across adolescence.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Horton, Megan K — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Horton, Megan K
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.