Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience

The Boston Children's Hospital Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, under the direction of Charles A. Nelson, PhD, hold a unique position at the intersection of development, brain and behavior. Under the broad Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience umbrella, our research mission is to advance the understanding of both typical and atypical development and inform the development of new and effective interventions.

Our multidisciplinary team of researchers brings together experts from a wide range of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and education. In collaboration with clinical experts in fields such as developmental pediatrics and child neurology, we are working to expand our knowledge of child development and developmental disorders through cutting edge cognitive neuroscience research.

Our research investigates development from infancy to early adulthood, including the impact of environmental factors such as early adversity and stress on cognitive development, as well as growing research programs in autism, ADHD and rare genetic disorders. Through this collaborative and comprehensive approach, we aim to drive the science forward as rapidly as possible, so that we can translate what we learn into earlier identification, improved therapies, and better outcomes for children and families affected by developmental disorders.