Genetic Influences on Infant Brain Development: Understanding the Developmental Origins of Mental Illness

At the Northwestern project site, we will collect longitudinal demographic information, behavioral measures, MRI scans, and DNA from buccal swab kits on two cohorts of infants. The W2W study will scan 55-75 children per timepoint at 12, 24, and 36 months, with partial overlap of longitudinal scans per child (n=140 individual children). The PHBP study will scan 100 infants longitudinally at 0, 3, and 12 months. Site PI Norton and Co-I Wakschlag will ensure that IRB approvals are in place and that behavioral data are collected and transferred to the Michigan State site for analysis. We will collect and store the MRI data and transfer the de-identified behavioral and MRI data to Michigan State after each wave is collected in years 1-5 of the proposed study. Site PI Norton will also oversee the project manager and research team as they collect the swab kits for DNA and send out the kits within a week of collection.