Understanding brain development and health in children and adolescents

16/21 ABCD-USA CONSORTIUM: RESEARCH PROJECT SITE AT UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-11078230

The ABCD-USA study at the University of Rochester is looking at how kids' brains grow and change from ages 9 to young adulthood, and it's for children and their families who want to help us understand how different life experiences affect brain health.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11078230 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The ABCD-USA Consortium at the University of Rochester investigates how brain development and health evolve in children and adolescents. This research follows a large group of participants aged 9-10 years over several years, conducting regular assessments that include brain imaging, neuropsychological tests, and evaluations of mental and physical health. By tracking these young individuals through adolescence into young adulthood, the study aims to uncover the effects of various life experiences on brain development. Participants and their families are engaged through minimal-burden assessments, ensuring high retention rates throughout the study.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 9-10 years who are willing to participate in long-term assessments.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 9-10 years or those who cannot commit to long-term follow-up assessments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of adolescent brain development, potentially informing interventions for mental health and substance use issues.

How similar studies have performed: Other large-scale studies on brain development have shown success in understanding cognitive and behavioral outcomes, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.