Understanding Healthy Brain and Child Development
20/24 The Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
This project is learning how early life experiences shape brain and child development in thousands of mothers and infants across the United States.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141641 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our brains and development are shaped by a mix of our genes and the world around us. This project aims to create a clear picture of how children grow and develop during their first 10 years. We are looking at how things like exposure to certain substances, stress, or a parent's health might affect a child's development. To do this, we are gathering information from 7,200 mothers and their babies across 27 locations in the U.S. We use advanced brain imaging (MRI, EEG), along with behavioral and physical measurements, to track these developmental paths.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are mothers and their infants, from pregnancy through the first 10 years of life, who are willing to contribute to a long-term developmental study.
Not a fit: Patients not directly participating in this observational study would not receive direct medical benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand how early life experiences affect a child's brain and development, potentially leading to new ways to support healthy growth and address challenges.
How similar studies have performed: While individual factors have been studied, this project is novel in its large scale and comprehensive approach to mapping neurodevelopmental trajectories across a diverse U.S. population.
Where this research is happening
Burlington, United States
- University of Vermont & St Agric College — Burlington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Potter, Alexandra S — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Potter, Alexandra S
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.