The Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is the largest study of its kind to date. This landmark study began in 2016 as a collaborative effort by top researchers across the United States to enroll and follow 11,000+ healthy children from age 9-10 into early adulthood. The project will measure brain maturation in the context of social, emotional and cognitive development. This study has enormous potential to inform prevention, treatment intervention, and public health strategies for mental health and substance use.

Dr. Herting is co-PI of the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) ABCD Study site alongside Dr. Elizabeth Sowell.

ABCD & Air Pollution

Using a team science approach, we lead efforts to leverage existing data within the ABCD study to understand how air pollution exposure may influence brain development and risk for mental health problems in developing children across the U.S.

Air Pollution is a neurotoxin

Emerging findings suggest that small air pollution particles can impact the brain. However, questions remain as to whether the adolescent brain may be especially vulnerable to harmful effects of air pollution.

ABCD Linked External Data Working Group

In the ABCD consortium, we co-lead the working group tasked with compiling residential histories

and linking these data to estimate an individual's environmental exposures

ABCD AIR

Leveraging the ABCD study, we are investigating how air pollution may impact neurodevelopment and risk for mental health problems over time.

Impact on Policy

This work is important to ensure healthy brain development in today's children.

It is also vital for policy markers charged with regulating air quality in urban cities.