Understanding developmental disorders in children on the Kenyan coast
NeuroDev Kenya: characterizing the epidemiology and etiology of developmental disorders on the Kenyan Coast
This project will gather health and genetic information from children and families on Kenya’s coast to find causes and patterns of developmental conditions like autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170021 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From the patient perspective, researchers will collect detailed clinical information and genetic samples from children with developmental concerns and their family members on the Kenyan coast. The team will perform genetic testing and in-depth behavioral and medical assessments to link symptoms with genetic and environmental factors. They will work with local clinics and KEMRI to build local training and lab capacity, and may create cell lines from blood samples if participants agree. All de-identified data and materials will be shared publicly to help other researchers and support an African NDD research network.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children on the Kenyan coast with developmental concerns such as autism or intellectual disability, along with willing family members and sometimes adults with intellectual disability where ethically appropriate.
Not a fit: People without developmental concerns, those living outside the study region, or those unwilling to provide genetic samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal causes and local risk factors for developmental disorders and lead to better diagnosis, services, and future treatments for affected children in East Africa.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic and deep-phenotyping studies elsewhere have identified risk genes and patterns, but applying these approaches at scale in rural African settings is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robinson, Elise B — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Robinson, Elise B
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.