ABCD’s longitudinal design also offers an extraordinary opportunity to evaluate multiple biological and environmental influences on typically developing children’s neurocognitive and brain function. For example, by measuring pubertal hormones over time, the ABCD Study will allow us to assess how hormones affect brain structure and function, and behavior during adolescent development. Without a baseline to delineate typical brain development, it is difficult to diagnose traumatic brain injury or other potential neurodevelopmental problems if a child visits the pediatrician with symptoms. One of the most important contributions of ABCD is that it will provide, for the first time, benchmarks of healthy brain development—akin to growth curves for height and weight—across the second decade. Pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists, and school counselors may be able to use these benchmarks to identify potential problems and risks—for depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), for example, as well as substance use—and thus facilitate early intervention. These benchmarks will also help researchers identify protective factors that promote resilience and healthy development in the setting of potential risks or other disadvantages.
