Tracking brain and development from pregnancy through early childhood
22/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
Collects brain scans, questionnaires, and biological samples from pregnant people and their children up to age 10 to learn how early-life experiences shape healthy development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143867 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This national effort enrolls about 7,200 mothers and their children at 27 sites across the United States and follows them from pregnancy through the first 10 years of life. Participants will be invited to have MRI and EEG brain scans, complete behavioral and developmental assessments, answer health and stress questionnaires, and provide biospecimens. The project combines these measures into a large, shared dataset to map typical brain and behavioral growth and to see how exposures like maternal substance use, toxicants, or early stress may change developmental paths. Joining typically involves scheduled in-person visits for imaging and testing, as well as periodic surveys and sample collection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people and their infants, and children up to age 10, who can attend visits at one of the participating U.S. sites are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People outside the enrolled age ranges or geographic areas, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment rather than research participation, may not receive direct medical benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help clinicians and public-health officials spot early signs of altered brain development and design interventions to protect children exposed to prenatal or early-life risks.
How similar studies have performed: Large cohorts like the ABCD study have shown that multi-site imaging and behavioral data can reveal important developmental patterns, while HBCD is novel in starting in pregnancy and following children through age 10.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, Brittany Rollins — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Howell, Brittany Rollins
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.