Understanding how early life experiences affect child brain development
9/24- Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium
This study is looking at how things like exposure to harmful substances and stress can affect how children grow and develop from birth to age 10, and it's for moms and their little ones to help us understand what influences healthy development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090079 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of various environmental hazards on the neurodevelopment of children from birth to age 10. It aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of how factors such as maternal substance exposure, toxicants, and stress influence developmental trajectories. By enrolling 7,500 mothers and infants across 24 sites in the U.S., the study will utilize advanced neuroimaging techniques like MRI and EEG, along with behavioral assessments, to gather extensive data. This information will help create a normative template for child development that can inform future interventions and policies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include mothers and their infants from diverse backgrounds, particularly those exposed to 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.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar neuroimaging and behavioral assessment approaches, making this study a continuation of established methodologies.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wakschlag, Lauren S — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Wakschlag, Lauren S
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.