Award Title: Integrating cognition and systems neuroscience to understand child development
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Trajectories of cognitive and brain development are established early in life. Across the lifespan, early developmental differences are associated with a host of long-term social, educational, economic and health outcomes. This research programme is dedicated to understanding those trajectories, their consequences, their underpinning neurobiology, and the factors that guide their origins during childhood. The purpose of the programme reflects MRC strategic priorities:  We apply a systems neuroscience methodology to the early detection of vulnerabilities, with the precision characterisation of children’s phenotypes. Our goal is to understand the complex and co-occurring cognitive, behavioural and mental health difficulties that are impactful for young people, regardless of whether they conform to a standard clinical presentation. This systems perspective focuses on developmental trajectories rather than on outcomes alone, seeking to identify multiple overlapping causal factors, and establish biological, social and environmental risk factors. Finally, we aim to build capacity in this area through the training of early career scientists and development of specialist longitudinal cohorts of young people, with multi-level phenotyping. Despite disruption caused by the pandemic, we have been highly productive. Since 2016, team members have published over 80 scientific articles. Additionally, we delivered a wide-ranging translational outreach and participatory engagement programme, in partnership with national charities and education groups. This was recognized by the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Impact and Engagement (2020). In the same period our work informed Government policy surrounding child mental health and education, within the context of the pandemic. The scope and scale of our programme were made possible by expanding core MRC funding, with four project grants and numerous scholarships bringing more than £1.8m of external funding. The result is a large and vibrant team of talented early-career scientists, arriving from diverse scientific backgrounds, including industry, clinical practice and multiple academic routes. This team takes full advantage of the special environment at the MRC CBU, undertaking ambitious interdisciplinary science that would be difficult elsewhere. Central to this unique environment are the synergies created by common priorities and complementary expertise. Shared cohorts, collective methodological skills, theoretical integration and the dovetailing of clinical and basic science create a research culture that drives innovation and collaboration.  In the next QQ we feed into and benefit from new cross-cutting CBU priorities: transdiagnostic approaches to disorders, understanding responses to adversity and building models that bridge brain and mind. We plan new collaborations to build computational theory that integrates neurobiology, cognition and behaviour as they unfold over development.


Research Activity Codes: 1.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROCESSES;2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS
Health Categories: NEUROLOGICAL;GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE;MENTAL HEALTH