Understanding how genes shape infant brain development and mental health
Genetic Influences on Infant Brain Development: Understanding the Developmental Origins of Mental Illness
This project explores how genes influence brain development in babies to better understand the early roots of mental health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11072068 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to understand how genetic differences might lead to mental health conditions by affecting how the brain develops very early in life. Researchers will combine information about genes with brain imaging data from infants and young children, along with observations of their behavior. The goal is to find out if specific genetic changes linked to psychiatric disorders cause changes in brain circuits as they form. This knowledge could help us find ways to prevent or intervene very early in life, before symptoms of mental illness become clear.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on understanding early brain development in infants and young children, particularly those with genetic variations linked to psychiatric disorders.
Not a fit: Patients already experiencing symptoms of mental illness may not directly benefit from this early-stage, foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat mental health conditions by identifying risks much earlier in life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous large-scale studies have shown that genes related to psychiatric disorders are often involved in nervous system development, and the research team has already found links between risk genes and brain changes at birth.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knickmeyer, Rebecca — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Knickmeyer, Rebecca
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.