Scientists scan teen brains to uncover hidden links between early exposures and future mental health

This study aims to understand how exposure to chemicals and stress during pregnancy might affect brain development and increase risk for mental health issues during the teenage years. Researchers will use brain scans and behavioral assessments on 250 adolescents who have existing prenatal exposure data. The goal is to identify biological pathways in the brain that connect early life exposures to later attention problems, substance use, and other psychiatric symptoms.