Choline supplementation to protect fetal brain development in pregnant women who drink heavily
Official title: Fetal Neuroprotection by choline supplementation in heavy drinking pregnant women
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10929930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving high doses of choline to babies born to moms who drank alcohol during pregnancy can help their brains develop better, and it’s designed for heavy-drinking pregnant women who want to learn more about how to support their baby's growth and brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $447,811 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030014-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who consume alcohol heavily and are seeking ways to mitigate its effects on their unborn child.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol during pregnancy or those whose alcohol consumption is not classified as heavy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of high-dose choline supplementation on the developing brains of infants born to women who consume alcohol during pregnancy. It aims to understand how choline can mitigate the negative impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure, which can lead to cognitive deficits and structural brain changes. The study will involve a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial with heavy drinking pregnant women, assessing their infants' growth and brain development through advanced neuroimaging techniques. By examining the neural mechanisms involved, the research seeks to provide insights into how choline can support healthier outcomes for these infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive and structural brain development in infants exposed to alcohol in utero.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with choline supplementation in similar contexts, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Der Kouwe, Andre Jan Willem — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Van Der Kouwe, Andre Jan Willem
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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.