Pioneering Progress: How MIDB is Transforming Pediatric Brain Health

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) brings together expertise from communities and the University of Minnesota to advance brain health from the earliest stages of development across the lifespan. We believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive, and in 2025, we continued to make steps to advance that mission.

This past year was defined by generating unprecedented impact in pediatric brain health. Beyond continued recognition for our clinical care and translational research, 2025 saw the launch of new, innovative programs, a significant expansion of our community partnerships, and remarkable success in securing competitive funding for pioneering research.

From launching crucial new training for providers to investigating the long-term effects of congenital conditions and fostering creativity in adolescents, the highlights of the past year demonstrate our commitment to a holistic approach to brain health.

Expanding Expertise: Free Training for Providers

Recognizing the urgent need for expertise in child and adolescent mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral (M/E/D/B) health, MIDB launched a comprehensive suite of free, self-paced training modules.

Developed by leading clinicians and interdisciplinary experts, these modules offer evidence-based insights on critical topics like autism, anxiety, OCD/PANDAS, ADHD, and challenging behaviors.

This new professional development opportunity, initially developed through the DoD Child Collaboration Study, ensures that providers across the state have access to the latest research and clinical best practices—ultimately benefiting more children and families.

Fostering Community, Creativity, and Access

MIDB believes that brain health extends beyond the clinic. Our commitment to community collaboration ensures that innovative care and support are accessible, and this year saw exciting new partnerships focused on education and creativity.

MIDB members are collaborating with community artists on programs like Imagination Central and Creativity Camp. These initiatives are designed to measure, foster, and improve mental health in adolescents through hands-on engagement with the creative arts.

In addition, our partnership with University of Minnesota Extension brought cutting-edge neuroscience directly into middle school classrooms through a neuroscience curriculum called Brainwaves. This project, led by the CEEd Hub, introduces youth to complex topics like traumatic stress and addiction through engaging, age-appropriate lessons. As CEEd Hub Director Dziwe Ntaba notes, this "framework of linking the brain, mind, and behavior then allows for an effective way to advance statewide goals around substance use prevention education." By sparking curiosity and promoting informed decision-making, Brainwaves empowers young people with knowledge they can carry into their futures.

Advancing Innovation

Our collaborative spirit is the true engine of our innovation. MIDB teams synergized across multiple Service Hubs to model best practices in cross-collaboration, which directly translates into significant research success and major grant funding. This synergy was key to securing a sustainable award from the Department of Defense Child Collaboration Study, providing $3.5 million in the second subaward year. Furthermore, MIDB members were awarded a $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to launch a first-of-its-kind study tracking the long-term development of infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). In addition, another MIDB team, building on previous seed grant success, received a separate five-year, $3.3 million NIH grant to explore the complex and vital interaction between iron deficiency and thyroid hormone during critical early brain development. These competitive awards demonstrate the exceptional caliber of our interdisciplinary teams and their dedication to pioneering research that will shape the future of clinical care.