The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it has finished enrollment for its “landmark” Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, according to a Dec. 3 statement from the organization.
The ABCD study, to be conducted at 21 sites across the U.S., will employ advanced neuroimaging to understand brain development in children through young adulthood. Researchers will also track social, behavioral, physical and environmental factors that may alter brain development. Included in the study are 11,874 participants, ages nine to 10—including 2,100 twins or triplets.
“The ABCD Study is a landmark study on brain development and child health that will increase understanding of environmental, social, genetic, and other biological factors that affect brain and cognitive development and can enhance or disrupt a young person’s life trajectory,” the NIH statement read.
Baseline data from all participants will be released in early 2019, and additional data from the initial 4,500 children is set to become available this month.
The study is being led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and supported by eight additional NIH institutes along with the CDC and other organizations.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.