Understanding how the human brain develops in early childhood

Multifaceted Characterization of Early Human Brain Development

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11136891

This study is looking at how babies' brains grow and change from birth to age 5, using special MRI scans to understand what healthy brain development looks like and to spot any early signs of brain-related challenges.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11136891 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the dynamic changes in brain structure and function during the critical early years of life, specifically from birth to age 5. By utilizing high-resolution MRI data from the Baby Connectome Project, the study aims to chart normal and abnormal brain development trajectories. Advanced computational tools will be employed to analyze the MRI images, focusing on the organization of the cerebral cortex and the relationships between different brain structures. The findings could help identify early signs of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0 to 5 years, particularly those at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 0 to 5 years or those without any neurodevelopmental concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research utilizing MRI data for understanding brain development has shown promising results, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.