Understanding how environmental factors contribute to learning disabilities in children.
Environmental Contributions to Disparities in Learning Disabilities: The Columbia Psychiatry, Psychology, and Public Health Collaborative Learning Disabilities Innovation Hub
This study is looking at how being exposed to harmful chemicals before birth might affect the learning abilities of young Black and Latinx children from low-income families, with the hope of finding ways to help them succeed in school.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10909868 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of environmental factors, particularly prenatal exposure to neurotoxic chemicals, on learning disabilities in children aged 0-11 years. It focuses on Black and Latinx children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, aiming to uncover the neural and cognitive pathways that lead to learning difficulties. By collaborating across various fields such as psychiatry, neuroscience, and public health, the project seeks to document how these environmental exposures contribute to the achievement gap in education. The ultimate goal is to identify potential interventions that could help mitigate these effects and improve educational outcomes for affected children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black and Latinx children aged 0-11 years from economically disadvantaged families who may have been exposed to harmful environmental chemicals.
Not a fit: Patients who do not belong to the targeted demographic or who are not exposed to the environmental factors being studied may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that help close the achievement gap for children affected by environmental factors.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding the links between environmental exposures and learning disabilities, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Margolis, Amy — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Margolis, Amy
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.