Lifecourse Studies

By definition, lifecourse studies track disease and health across the lifespan of members of a study population. Individuals are evaluated for potential and known risks, preferably starting as early as gestation (at that time by means of maternal interviews and biological samples), and then followed for both positive and adverse developments as they age. Lifecourse studies are particularly well-positioned to examine the interplay of genetic and environmental risk factors, which is key to understanding many complex diseases.

Imprints investigators are currently examining a wide array of factors that may influence health, such as prenatal exposures to infectious disease, or to toxic chemicals; childhood nutrition and environment; social conditions; and genetic and epigenetic effects. They are also examining a range of health outcomes, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, asthma, and reproductive performance.