Understanding how baby brains develop before birth
Imaging early development of human neural circuits
This project aims to create better imaging tools to see how a baby's brain connections grow and change while still in the womb.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are working to create advanced imaging tools that can show us how a baby's brain develops its connections and functions even before birth. Current brain scans for babies in the womb can be tricky because of movement and the unique way their brains are growing. This project will develop new ways to capture clearer images despite movement and process them effectively. Our goal is to build a more complete picture of early brain development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant individuals and their fetuses who are interested in contributing to research on early brain development may be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not currently pregnant or those without an interest in fetal brain imaging research would not directly benefit from this specific opportunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors better understand typical brain development and identify potential issues earlier in life.
How similar studies have performed: While fMRI is a known technique, this project focuses on developing novel technologies to overcome specific challenges in fetal imaging, making the approach innovative.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gholipour-Baboli, Ali — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Gholipour-Baboli, Ali
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.