Understanding early brain growth in children whose mothers experienced depression
Early brain development in children born to depressed mothers in high and low income settings
This project looks at how brain development unfolds in young children whose mothers had depression, comparing those in different economic settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136449 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that children born to mothers with depression, especially in areas with fewer resources, face a higher chance of developing mental health issues. This project aims to understand if, when, and how early brain development contributes to this risk. Researchers will combine information from six large groups of children, using repeated brain imaging from birth up to age six. This will help map out how different brain regions grow and connect in these children, both in high-income countries and in South Africa.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project uses existing data from children aged 0-6 years whose mothers experienced depression, so direct patient recruitment for new data collection is not part of this specific grant.
Not a fit: Patients not fitting the age range of 0-6 years or whose mothers did not experience depression would not be directly relevant to this specific data analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify crucial periods in brain development, helping to create better preventative strategies for mental health problems in children exposed to maternal depression.
How similar studies have performed: While individual studies have looked at aspects of this topic, this project is novel in combining data from multiple large cohorts across different income settings to map brain development trajectories comprehensively.
Where this research is happening
Rondebosch, South Africa
- University of Cape Town — Rondebosch, South Africa (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Groenewold, Nynke — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Groenewold, Nynke
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.