Understanding how to recruit and keep participants in studies about infant brain development

An examination of recruitment and retention for clinical infant neuroimaging studies

NIH-funded research Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11037481

This study is looking for pregnant women and their babies to help us understand how exposure to substances during pregnancy can affect a child's growth and development over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVirginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Blacksburg, United States)
Project IDNIH-11037481 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the challenges of recruiting and retaining participants for clinical studies focused on infant neuroimaging. It aims to gather a diverse and representative sample of pregnant women and their children to assess the impacts of prenatal substance exposure on child development. By utilizing a longitudinal approach, the study will track various biological, behavioral, and social factors from pregnancy through mid-childhood. This comprehensive data collection will help researchers understand the long-term effects of prenatal exposures on children's health and development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant women from diverse backgrounds, particularly those with a history of substance use.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have children under the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for children affected by prenatal substance exposure.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar longitudinal studies, indicating the potential for impactful findings in this area.

Where this research is happening

Blacksburg, 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.