Study to consider factors impacting development

A study team, led by Professor Nick Allen from the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Melbourne will look at the impact home and environment can have on brain function of young children.

The project bringing together researchers, clinicians and allied health professionals will look at brain development in children to predict a range of potential health issues including mental illness.

Professor Allen believes family environment has a significant impact on the development of children.

“Through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) we can look at brain structures and functions at two critical points of time; at eight years and again at 10 years of age,: he said.

Pre-adolescence is a period of huge brain growth and re-organisation. The other main time of growth is in infancy.

“While every child is different, we know that there are many factors such as home, family, school that impact on a child’s development. But what does the family environment in particular bring to the development of that child?”

Children involved in the Families and Childhood Transitions Study (FACTS) will undergo two MRI scans; at eight years and then 18 months later. In preparation for the scan process, children will be offered a mock scan experience at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

 

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