The maternal adversity, vulnerability and neurodevelopment project: theory and methodology

Area of Science:

• Developmental psychology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• The Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) study is a prospective, community-based birth cohort.
• It investigates pre- and postnatal influences on individual differences in mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the theory and methodology of the MAVAN study.
• To examine the interaction of maternal factors in determining child mental health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal assessment of mother-offspring dyads.
• Inclusion of cognitive, emotional, brain-based, and metabolic measures.
• Candidate gene approach for gene-environment interactions and extensive mother-child interaction measures.

Main Results:

• Preliminary analyses indicate positive correlations between maternal care measures over time.
• Early evidence supports the feasibility of laboratory-based assessments within a longitudinal cohort.

Conclusions:

• The MAVAN study demonstrates the value of embedded laboratory measures in birth cohort research.
• Findings offer insights into typical development, potential intervention targets, and the pathogenesis of mental and physical disorders.