# The Developing Brain: Influences and Outcomes

> **NIH NIH UH3** · RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · 2021 · $3,933,025

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / DESCRIPTION
How does our healthy brain grow? The simplicity of this question masks the highly complex and multifaceted
nature of human neurodevelopment. Across fetal development, infancy and early childhood, our brain
undergoes remarkable change in response to diverse genetic and environmental pressures. Processes
including myelination and synaptogenesis are at their peak across the first 2-3yrs of life, contributing to the
emergence of nearly all cognitive and behavioral skills, and laying the foundation for future learning and
academic success. While the importance of this early life period to life-long mental health is widely recognized,
important questions remain regarding the influences that shape brain growth and cognitive development: 1. How
is brain growth altered by specific pre- and post-natal environmental or genetic factors; 2. How are patterns of
brain growth associated with, and predictive of, emerging cognitive and behavioral abilities; and 3. How are
these brain-behavior relationships influenced by modifiable factors experienced throughout childhood? This
proposal seeks to address these fundamental questions using a unique longitudinal neuroimaging dataset that
spans fetal, infant and childhood development (22wks to 10yrs of age) and contains more than 2500 measures
from ~650 children with diverse birth outcomes, environmental exposures and genotypes. Alongside multimodal
MRI, extensive neurocognitive, sociodemographic, physical health, family and medical history, anthropometric,
nutrition, sleep, and biospecimen (DNA, oral and fecal microbiome, and shed deciduous teeth) data have been
collected on each child and updated at biannual or annual visits. Using this extensive dataset, we aim to
address our central hypothesis: that intrauterine events, early life environmental exposures and genetic factors
influence cognitive/behavioral outcomes by altering patterns of brain growth. We will examine this hypothesis in
three incremental steps. First, we will demonstrate that intrauterine events, early life exposures and specific
genetic polymorphisms give rise to altered trajectories of brain development. Next, we will show that differing
patterns of neurodevelopment are associated with varying cognitive and behavioral profiles. Finally, we will take
a holistic approach and examine how modifiable factors, specifically child nutrition and obesity, sleep health, and
our microbiome may mediate these brain-cognition/behavior relationships within the context of related pre- and
post-natal environmental and genetic influences. This marks a distinct departure from prior studies, which have
typically examined these factors in relative isolation and using cross-sectional study designs. Over the course
of this proposal, an additional 500 children will be recruited and 3000 longitudinal measures acquired (bringing
the totals to ~1100 children and ~6100 measures). This represents the largest pediatric neuroimaging database
that span...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10240301
- **Project number:** 5UH3OD023313-08
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Viren Andrew D'Sa
- **Activity code:** UH3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $3,933,025
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-21 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10240301

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10240301, The Developing Brain: Influences and Outcomes (5UH3OD023313-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10240301. Licensed CC0.

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