Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development
22/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
This study is looking at how different environmental challenges, like a mother's substance use or stressful experiences, can affect how children grow and develop from birth to age 10, and it's for families with young kids to help improve support for those who might be at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10878961 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of various environmental hazards on child development from birth to age 10. It focuses on understanding how factors like maternal substance exposure, toxic stress, and other adverse experiences can shape neurodevelopmental trajectories. By enrolling a diverse sample of 7,500 mothers and infants across 24 sites in the U.S., the study will utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques and a range of behavioral assessments to gather comprehensive data. The goal is to establish a normative template of child development that can inform future interventions and support for at-risk populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and infants from diverse backgrounds, particularly those who may have experienced adverse conditions during pregnancy or early life.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 10 years or those without any history of adverse experiences in early life may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and addressing developmental issues in children exposed to adverse experiences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar longitudinal studies, indicating the potential for impactful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, Brittany Rollins — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Howell, Brittany Rollins
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.