16/24 Healthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium DIVERSITY SUPPLEMENT

Univ Of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Abstract Substance use among pregnant women is a substantial public health concern that can result in adverse outcomes in offspring. The aims of the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) parent grant are to: 1) examine behavioral, cognitive, biological, social, and emotional aspects of child development from prenatal to 10 years old and 2) examine the impacts of sociodemographic factors, stress and mental health, genetics, and prenatal substance exposure on child development. However, the parent project is focused on data collection and on the developmental periods of infancy and childhood. The proposed work will use existing data from the F.U.T.U.R.E.S. study (“Following Urban Teens: Unique and Resilient at Every Step, DA021059 ), which examined the impact of prenatal substance exposure on behavioral and brain development in adolescence. In Aim 1 of this proposed supplement, the Candidate will examine interactions between PDE and caregiver mental health on behavioral outcomes in adolescence. We hypothesize that the combination of PDE and poor caregiver mental health (characterized by symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or stress) will produce the worst child outcomes. Exploratory analyses will probe whether effects vary as a function of type of substance or duration of use. In Aim 2, the Candidate will examine interactions between PDE and caregiver mental health on adolescent brain structure and function. We hypothesize that the combination of PDE and poor caregiver mental health will be associated with variations in brain volume and cortical thickness compared to individuals with either one risk-factor alone or no risk factors. This work will provide a better understanding of maternal mental health and caregiver environment that influence many aspects of child development. As a full-time faculty researcher, the Candidate does not have the opportunity to explore research interests outside of the parent project and pursue training that would make her a competitive prospective graduate student. Ultimately, this training project will help accelerate the Candidate’s transition to graduate school and her research career trajectory.