Research summary
Neurodevelopmental disorders in children often begin even before they become apparent in their behaviours. Negative influences during fetal development, such as exposure to alcohol or maternal distress, can increase a child’s risk of developing these disorders. As Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Neuroimaging, Dr. Catherine Lebel is comparing typical and atypical brain development to understand the changes that lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.
She and her research team are using MRI to characterize these brain alterations, particularly as they relate to environmental factors, and investigating how to prevent and mitigate them. They are also determining how mental health and brain measures are related in youth who were exposed to alcohol before birth and exploring whether treating pregnant individuals for perinatal depression could mitigate the effects of this condition on the infant’s developing brain. Ultimately, their findings could lead to better outcomes for children when it comes to learning, socializing, mental health and future employment.