Choline Genetics and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Children
Official title: Choline-Related Polymorphisms in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11369656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how genetic differences in choline metabolism affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who may benefit from choline supplementation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $459,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031262-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged in the 0-11 year range who have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or prenatal alcohol exposure and may carry choline-related gene variants.
✕Less likely to help
Children without the relevant gene variants or without PAE-related cognitive challenges may see limited or no benefit from targeted choline strategies.
What this research studies
The research focuses on how specific gene variants related to choline use influence the effectiveness of choline supplementation for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. It builds on prior findings that certain alleles may increase choline needs and modify cognitive outcomes when supplements are given. The team plans to identify additional polymorphisms that modulate cognition and behavior in FASD, helping tailor future interventions. The work combines genetic analysis with neurodevelopmental assessments to understand who benefits most from choline. Its outcome could guide personalized nutritional strategies to improve brain development in affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to more personalized choline-based interventions for children with FASD, potentially improving cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed that certain choline-related alleles modify response to supplementation, supporting potential benefit for targeted strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Susan M. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Smith, Susan M.
Related research
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Data coordination for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research
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Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes the brain cells that help process sound in mice, to better understand hearing problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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Prenatal Alcohol Gene-by-Exposure study: how maternal and child genetics influence FASD
A big study will look at genes in mothers and their children to understand why some babies exposed to alcohol before birth develop FASD and others don’t.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.