Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development

14/24 The Healthy Brain & Child Development National Consortium

['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-10982961

This study is looking at how different environmental factors affect the growth and brain development of children from birth to age 10, and it's for families with young kids to help understand how things like a mother's health and stress can shape their child's future.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10982961 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of various environmental hazards on child development, focusing on children from birth to 10 years old. It aims to establish a normative template of developmental trajectories by studying a diverse sample 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 comprehensive data on how factors like maternal health and stress influence brain development. By analyzing these interactions, the research seeks to provide insights into the long-term effects of early life experiences on children's neurodevelopment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and their infants from diverse backgrounds, 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 understanding and interventions for children affected by adverse early life experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding neurodevelopmental impacts through similar methodologies, indicating a promising approach for this study.

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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.