Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development

The Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium Administrative Core

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10885121

This study is looking at how different things in our environment and our health can affect how children's brains grow from birth to age 10, and it's for families with young kids who want to understand more about healthy development.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10885121 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of various environmental and biological factors on the brain development of children from birth to age 10. By studying a diverse group of 7,500 mothers and infants across the United States, the project aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of typical neurodevelopmental trajectories. The research employs advanced neuroimaging techniques, along with behavioral and physiological assessments, to gather extensive data on how factors like maternal health and environmental exposures influence child development. This information will help identify risks and promote healthier developmental outcomes for children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and their infants, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and varying environmental exposures.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 10 years or those not involved in the mother-infant dyad may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for promoting healthy brain development in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar approaches, indicating a strong potential for impactful findings.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, 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.