Yale University is partnering with schools and families in Connecticut as part of a landmark study on adolescent cognitive and brain development across the nation. Families of children ages 9 and 10 are being asked to participate.

Yale University is one of only 19 sites nationally to participate in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD) funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study launched this month will follow 10,000 adolescents for 10 years. Researchers will study impact of influences such as video games, social media, alcohol or drug use and sleep habits on the intellectual, social, emotional, biological and physical development of adolescents.

Lead scientist BJ Casey together with Todd Constable are the investigators for the Yale site.

"This study has the potential to be a natural treasure that will provide important data to inform policies to promote health, well-being and achievement in our children across the nation and in our children here in our home state of Connecticut," said Casey, a professor of psychology at Yale.

The study team is providing local schools with information on the study for parents to review, which can also be viewed online. For more information about the ABCD study email abcdstudy@yale.edu or call 203-432-0228 or see the official website.

Provided by Yale University