Researchers at the University of Manchester are inviting families to take part in new research about adolescent mental and physical development.
The Early Life and Adolescent Brain (E-LAB) study aims to help researchers learn more about how early life experience influences the brain, behaviour and the immune system later in life.
The relationship between childhood adversity, mental health, and brain development is complex, but understanding these connections is crucial for developing effective interventions and support systems that can change lives.
Two groups of children and their parents are invited to take part in the study:
- Children aged 13-17 years old, who have lived with one or both birth parents throughout their childhood and do not have a significant experience of childhood trauma
- Children aged 13-17 years old, who were adopted or separated from their birth parents and placed in long-term stable care
As part of the study, participants will have a choice to take part in all or just some of the following activities:
- Online questionnaires
- Online games
- Brain imaging
- Blood sampling
- Hair sampling
- Social life interviews and in select cases, a social communication interview.
Parents/guardians will also be required to complete some questionnaires and an interview about their child.
Most parts of the study can be completed online from home, but some parts will require a visit to the University of Manchester. Participants will be compensated for their time and travel expenses.
The study is funded by the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission and co-funded by NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Manchester.
To take part, email [email protected] or call 07353 103 952.
