Lifespan Brain Institute (LIBI)

The Lifespan Brain Institute (LiBI) is dedicated to studying how the brain and behavior change over time and in response to different illnesses. We study children and young adults with many kinds of diagnoses, including people without any diagnosis at all. This collaboration between Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania bridges the gap between pediatric and adult research, making it possible for researchers to begin studying participants at a young age and to continue to follow them into adulthood.

With this lifespan approach, researchers study what early risk factors might contribute to the development of mental disorders, what factors might protect children from developing mental disorders or help them cope more effectively, and how illness affects the brain and behavior over time. By focusing our research in these areas, the LiBI team hopes to help improve treatment options and outcomes for both patients and their families.