Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

What Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study does

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States, operated as a research consortium funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and coordinated under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Established in 2015 and building on the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN, founded 2013), the study enrolled approximately 11,880 children ages 9-10 from 21 research sites across major U.S. universities and tracks them longitudinally through adolescence into young adulthood, now in its second decade of operation. Core operations include a Coordinating Center at UC San Diego (led by Drs. Terry Jernigan and Sandra A. Brown) and a Data Analysis, Informatics & Resource Center (DAIRC), with active engagement of 14+ federal partner institutes and centers (NIDA, NIAAA, NCI, NIMH, NICHD, NHLBI, NINDS, NIMHD, OBSSR, ORWH, CDC, NIJ, NSF, NEA).

The study's core "product" is a multimodal open-science dataset comprising 3T structural and functional MRI (using a harmonized protocol across Siemens, GE, and Philips scanners), high angular resolution diffusion imaging, task-based fMRI (Monetary Incentive Delay, Stop Signal, Emotional N-Back, RADIATE), whole-genome sequencing for approximately 80% of the cohort (in the 7.0 release), cognitive assessments, behavioral questionnaires, hormone samples, and environmental measures. Standardized deliverables include the ABCD MRI Protocol, downloadable fMRI task paradigms in E-Prime Professional 3.0, and annually released curated datasets through the new NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) Data Hub, accessible to qualified researchers who complete a Data Use Certification and Responsible Data and Biospecimen Use Training. Sub-products include educational resources for schools, participant-facing career and substance use prevention materials, and an ACMG-based genetic results return program launched in Fall 2025 for participants age 18+.

ABCD has no revenue model: it is entirely federally funded, participants are compensated rather than charged, and data is provided to researchers without licensing fees. Distribution is via a 21-site physical research network for participant visits and via the NIH NBDC Data Hub and (legacy) NIMH Data Archive for data sharing, with a separate NBDC Biospecimen Access Program (X01 Resource Access Award). The study's intellectual property, including the "ABCD Study" and "Teen Brains. Today's Science. Brighter Future." trademarks, is registered to HHS. ABCD-RECOVER, a partnership with the NIH RECOVER Initiative launched in August 2022, extends the protocol to study COVID-19's long-term impact on children and families via surveys and at-home antibody testing.

Name

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

Legal name

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study

Website

https://abcdstudy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The ABCD Study is an NIH-funded, HHS-sponsored longitudinal research consortium tracking approximately 11,880 U.S. children from ages 9-10 into young adulthood across 21 university research sites, producing open-science multimodal neuroimaging, genetic, and behavioral data for qualified researchers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

La Jolla

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. NIH Federal Funding: The ABCD Study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through multiple institutes and centers including NIDA, NIAAA, NCI, NIMH, NICHD, NHLBI, NINDS, NIMHD, OBSSR, ORWH, CDC, NIJ, NSF, and NEA. Established in 2015 to follow a cohort of over 10,000 children from pre-adolescence into adulthood.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The ABCD Study is a longitudinal research consortium following nearly 11,880 children from ages 9-10 through adolescence into young adulthood. It collects multimodal neuroimaging (MRI, fMRI, HARDI diffusion imaging), genetic samples, cognitive assessments, and behavioral/environmental questionnaires across 21 U.S. research sites, then shares anonymized data with the global scientific community through NIH repositories. Core deliverables include annual data releases, standardized imaging protocols, fMRI task paradigms, and educational resources for educators and participants.

Product overview

The ABCD Study is a landmark longitudinal research initiative—not a commercial product—conducted by a consortium of 21 research sites, a Coordinating Center at UC San Diego, and a Data Analysis, Informatics & Resource Center. The study tracks nearly 12,000 children from ages 9-10 through adolescence into young adulthood, collecting multimodal data including brain imaging (MRI/fMRI), genetic samples, cognitive assessments, and behavioral questionnaires. Core offerings include open science data releases (through NBDC Data Hub), standardized neuroimaging protocols and fMRI task paradigms for researchers, educational resources for schools, and participant-facing programs including career resources, substance use prevention information, and a genetic results return program. The study's open science model distributes anonymized data annually to qualified researchers worldwide through NIH repositories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABCD-RECOVER: A partnership with RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery), a nationwide NIH initiative to understand the long-term impact of COVID on children and families. Includes surveys and at-home antibody testing.

Products and services

• ABCD Data Repository Access
• ABCD fMRI Tasks and Tools

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AASA, The School Superintendents AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization representing school superintendents, supporting ABCD Study recruitment and advocating for educational applications of research findings.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting the landmark study and helping recruit schools for participant enrollment.
• American Academy of PediatricscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization committed to helping children achieve their full potential, supporting ABCD research on brain development.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on ADHD research, viewing ABCD Study as important investigation that could influence interventions for ADHD population.
• Learning First AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization of education leaders supporting brain development research to improve children's lives.
• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization supporting the study as the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States.
• American Psychological Association (APA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional psychology organization supporting the study and expecting results to benefit future generations of children.
• American School Health Association (ASHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization committed to child health and education supporting the groundbreaking ABCD Study.
• RECOVER Initiative (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH-sponsored nationwide initiative partnered with ABCD Study to understand the long-term impact of COVID on children and families. ABCD-RECOVER includes surveys and at-home antibody testing for ABCD participants.
• National Liaison Board MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory partners including American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, and AASA School Superintendents Association.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theabcdstudy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theabcdstudy
• Facebookfacebook.com/abcdstudyofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theabcdstudy
• Instagraminstagram.com/theabcdstudy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study