Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development

20/24 The Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium

NIH-funded research University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-10879087

This study is looking at how different environmental factors affect how children grow and develop from birth to age 10, and it's for families with young kids who want to understand how things like mom's health and stress can impact their child's brain development.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Burlington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10879087 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 aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of neurodevelopmental trajectories by studying a diverse group of 7,500 mothers and infants across 24 sites in the United States. The study employs advanced neuroimaging techniques, along with behavioral and physiological assessments, to gather extensive data on how factors like maternal health and stress influence brain development. By creating a detailed dataset, the research seeks to provide insights that can inform interventions and support for children at risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and their infants, particularly those who may have experienced 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, particularly those exposed to 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

Burlington, 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.