Understanding how early life experiences affect brain development in children

12/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium

NIH-funded research Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10877792

This study is looking at how things like stress and exposure to harmful substances can affect how children grow and develop their brains from birth to age 10, and it’s for moms and their babies across the U.S. who want to help us learn more about healthy brain development.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOregon Health & Science University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-10877792 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of various environmental hazards on child development, particularly focusing on neurodevelopmental processes from birth to age 10. It aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of how factors such as maternal substance exposure, toxicants, and stress influence developmental trajectories. By enrolling 7,500 mothers and infants across 24 sites in the U.S., the study will utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques and a variety of behavioral assessments to gather extensive data. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of healthy brain development and the effects of adverse experiences.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and their infants, particularly those who may have been exposed to environmental hazards during pregnancy or early life.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 10 years or those without any exposure to the identified environmental hazards may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for promoting healthy brain development in children and mitigating the effects of adverse experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar approaches, making this study a continuation of established methodologies.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.