Developing Children's Connectome Project
From early brain to future mind
Background of the Project
The first years of life shape how we think, feel and cope with challenges for the rest of our lives. The Developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) followed children from before birth through infancy, creating the most detailed picture yet of how babies’ brains grow.
But what happens next? Between 6 and 12 years children undergo rapid development in attention, self-control and their understanding of others. This is also a period when many mental health difficulties first emerge.
The Developing Children’s Connectome Project (DCCP) follows children from the dHCP through this important stage of development. By combining a detailed map of brain development with information about their behaviour and daily lives, we hope to understand why some children thrive while others find things harder, and how early experiences shape mental health.
How does the brain change from 6 to 12 years.
Using ultra-high-field MRI, we will map brain trajectories at unprecedented detail.
Aims and Research Questions
How does the brain at birth shape later development?
We’ll link fetal/neonatal brain scans with detailed imaging in middle childhood.
How does brain development relate to children’s changing cognitive and emotional needs?
We'll study how clinical and socio-economic circumstances influence development.
Why are some children more vulnerable to mental health difficulties?
We'll study which early life factors can help us predict this.