Environmental impact on pediatric brain development

Childhood cognitive and brain development strongly impacts future academic performance and is correlated to future mental health, including risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Interindividual differences in development are due to both genetic and environmental factors, through both unique effects and an interplay that is not fully understood.

Here we will investigate the impact of three environmental factors: socioeconomic background, year of schooling and screen-time (time watching videos, gaming or using social media, respectively).

We will investigate the impact on brain development as well as ADHD symptoms, controlling for genetic differences (via polygenetic scores).

The analyses will be based on a representative sample of 9855 children from the ABCD dataset with measures at baseline (ages 9-10) and after two years. Statistical models will include general linear models, as well as structural equation models. Brain data will be analyzed both at global and detailed (voxel-based) level.

Data analysis is estimated to take 2-years and will be carried out by a post-doc supervised by the PI, with an additional 6 months scheduled for data-preparation and 6 months for writing and publications.

This project will deepen our understanding of how environmental factors impact brain development and neurodevelopmental symptoms. It could also help inform policy decision to tackle environmental influences on child development.