Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development

16/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium

['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · NIH-10982962

This study is looking at how things like a mother's health and environment during pregnancy can affect a child's growth and brain development from birth to age 10, and it's for families with young children to help understand and improve their future health.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_U01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK (nih funded)
Locations1 site (COLLEGE PARK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10982962 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of various environmental hazards on child development from birth to age 10. It focuses on factors such as maternal substance exposure, toxicants during pregnancy, and parental mental health, which can influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. By enrolling 7,500 mothers and infants across 24 sites in the U.S., the study aims to create a comprehensive dataset that captures developmental trajectories using advanced neuroimaging and behavioral assessments. This information will help identify how early experiences shape brain development and inform future interventions.

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 adverse conditions 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 at risk of developmental issues due to adverse early life 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

COLLEGE PARK, 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.