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Biospecimens in the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study: Rationale and protocol
Elinor L Sullivan1, Ryan Bogdan2, Ludmila Bakhireva3
1Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Center for Mental Health Innovation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Insights
The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study collects biosamples from over 7000 parent-child pairs to investigate how prenatal and postnatal exposures impact neurodevelopmental outcomes. This research supports future studies on early life development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is a large, multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study.
- It aims to understand human brain development from prenatal stages through early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of prenatal and postnatal exposures on neurobehavioral development.
- To facilitate research on biological processes influencing development using collected biospecimens.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal collection of biological samples from over 7000 birthing parents and their children.
- Collection includes blood, nail clippings, urine, and saliva from parents; saliva, stool, and urine from children.
- Additional samples like placenta tissue, cord blood, and cord tissue are collected from a subset.
Main Results:
- Detailed rationale for biospecimen collection is provided.
- Current and potential future uses of biospecimens are outlined.
- Collection protocols and piloting success rates are described.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive framework for biospecimen collection in early life research.
- This information will guide future research utilizing the HBCD biospecimen collection.
- The HBCD Study's biospecimen data will advance understanding of neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract:
The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. The longitudinal collection of biological samples from over 7000 birthing parents and their children within the HBCD study enables research on pre- and postnatal exposures (e.g., substance use, toxicants, nutrition), and biological processes (e.g., genetics, epigenetic signatures, proteins, metabolites) on neurobehavioral developmental outcomes. The following biosamples are collected from the birthing parent: 1) blood (i.e., whole blood, serum, plasma, buffy coat, and dried blood spots) during pregnancy, 2) nail clippings during pregnancy and one month postpartum, 3) urine during pregnancy, and 4) saliva during pregnancy and at in-person postnatal assessments. The following samples are collected from the child at in-person study assessments: 1) saliva, 2) stool, and 3) urine. Additionally, placenta tissue, cord blood, and cord tissue are collected by a subset of HBCD sites. Here, we describe the rationale for the collection of these biospecimens, their current and potential future uses, the collection protocol, and collection success rates during piloting. This information will assist research teams in the planning of future studies utilizing this collection of biological samples.
