Understanding how childhood adversity affects reading skills
Official title: Identifying neurocognitive correlates of reading impacted by adversity exposure
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10977174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tough experiences in childhood can affect kids' thinking skills and their ability to read, helping us find better ways to support children who might be struggling with reading because of these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $46,853 |
| NIH project number | 1R36OD037667-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0-20 who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced any adverse childhood experiences may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on neurocognitive processes that are essential for reading development in children and adolescents. By analyzing data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) dataset, the study aims to explore the relationships between cognitive functions like working memory and reading proficiency benchmarks. The research focuses on understanding how these cognitive processes are disrupted by ACEs and how this disruption affects reading outcomes in different age groups. The findings could provide insights into improving educational strategies for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that enhance reading skills in children who have experienced adversity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing the effects of adverse experiences on cognitive development can lead to significant improvements in educational outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alvarado, Charles — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Alvarado, Charles
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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.