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Welcome to the Developing Brain Institute

Fetal Research

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Welcome to the Developing Brain Institute

Neonatal Research

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Welcome to the Developing Brain Institute

Infant/Toddler Research

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Welcome to the Developing Brain Institute

Schoolchildren
Research

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M-Power

(Mothers and Parents Overcoming
Worry & Enhancing Resilience)

Toolkits for Parents and Clinicians
New Studies

New Studies

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Our Institute at a Glance

"We are developing advanced MRI techniques to examine the structure, connectivity, and metabolism of the brain.."
- Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D.
The Developing Brain Institute, directed by Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., is housed in the department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology and affiliated with the Fetal and Transitional Medicine and Newborn Medicine Programs at Children’s National Hospital. Our research focuses on the developing brain, in utero, after birth, and through preschool.
We are developing advanced MRI techniques to examine the structure, connectivity, and metabolism of the brain in ways that cannot be done with conventional MRI studies. It is our long-term goal to be able to identify babies with impaired brain growth as soon as possible so that the proper interventions and clinical planning can take place.
Project RESCUE stands for Reducing Elevated Stress from COVID-19 Exposure, and most of the study interventions can be done from the comfort of your home.
In this research study, our team will leverage its mastery of sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging studies to identify the risks of COVID-19-related maternal psychological distress changing how your baby’s brain develops during pregnancy and after birth. This important study aims to answer many pressing questions. With your help, we’ll conduct multiple M.R. imaging studies.
We’ll perform clinical, genetic, environmental, physiological, behavioral, and neuropsychiatric evaluations starting during pregnancy and continuing through the time your child is a preschooler. Because your health and your infant’s well-being are our No. 1 priority, we are working with community partners to weave a comprehensive safety net that strengthens maternal mental health, boosts parental resiliency, and enriches infants’ early environment to offset harms experienced in the womb.

Children’s National Hospital, on June 30, 2020, announced a transformational $36 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.

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This is one of the largest awards in the hospital’s history – to provide families with greater access to mental health care and community resources. The Clark Parent and Child Network pairs clinical innovation with community partnerships to support underserved pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age 3.
It will bridge the gap between prenatal care and early childhood development with a focus on mental health.
International Symposium on the Fetal Brain (ISFB)
Every year, Children's National Hospital hosts world-renowned experts in the fields of maternal-prenatal medicine, developmental neuroscience, neurogenetics, prenatal and neonatal neurology, and imaging in advancing fetal brain understanding at the International Symposium on the Fetal Brain in Washington, D.C. Presentations are made by a panel of world-renowned prenatal medicine experts during the symposium.
It has unfortunately become clear that we need to cancel the 2020 International Symposium on the Fetal Brain, which was scheduled for September 24 and 25. While this is a great disappointment to us all, we are absolutely committed to continuing with this exciting annual meeting in 2021.
Children’s National Hospital serves as a magnetic resonance image coordinating center.
Thanks to its unparalleled imaging expertise, Children’s National Hospital has been invited to participate in a groundbreaking, multi-million dollar study to determine how being exposed to opioids in the womb impacts newborns’ long-term brain development. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an estimated 10.3 million U.S. people aged 12 and older misused opioids like heroin in 2018.
This component of the NIH’s massive Helping to End Addiction Long-Term initiative (HEAL) will enroll pregnant women from four U.S. regions struck hard by the opioid crisis, following these women and their children for years to gauge opioids’ imprint on children’s brains.
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We are on a mission to develop the most advanced MRI techniques that examine the developing fetal brain and save countless lives.

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Fetal Research

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Education and resources for families and NICU team.

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Neonatal Research

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Early intervention services can help infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays in learning many key skills and catching up on their development.

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Infant/Toddler Research

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Intervening at the earliest opportunity gives children the best chance to succeed in school and in life.

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School Children Research

Research Spotlight

You are invited to join Project RESCUE. Project RESCUE stands for Reducing Elevated Stress from COVID-19 Exposure.

In this research study, our team will leverage its mastery of sophisticated magnetic resonance imaging studies to identify risks of COVID-19-related maternal psychological distress changing how your baby’s brain develops during pregnancy and after birth.

Learn More About Project RESCUE
Sign Up | RESCUE Study
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Testimonials | Intern with Us

During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to work with our talented team of scientists, physicians, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical research coordinators. It is our hope that you will be as excited as we are to make a difference. We are confident that this experience will be informative, educational, and enriching to your academic profile. You will be exposed to the most cutting-edge imaging technology in fetal diagnosis. We thank you for your time, dedication, and commitment to our mission, and we wish you success in this rewarding experience in the lab.

Visit Our Testimonials Page

Email | [email protected]
Call | (202) 476-3842

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