Choline to help children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure
Official title: Fetal Alcohol Effects and Choline Intervention
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11379943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research will see if giving the nutrient choline after birth helps thinking, memory, and brain growth in children who were exposed to alcohol before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2001 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $356,569 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AA012446-22 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for eventual clinical testing would be infants or young children known to have been exposed to alcohol before birth or diagnosed with an alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Children without prenatal alcohol exposure or those with severe, established brain malformations are unlikely to benefit from this choline-based approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying whether giving the nutrient choline after birth can reduce brain and learning problems caused by alcohol exposure before birth. In laboratory work using a rat model of prenatal alcohol exposure, they give choline during early postnatal development and then test learning, memory, and behavior. The team also examines the hippocampus for signs of improved brain plasticity, including new neuron growth and stronger synaptic connections. Findings from these experiments are intended to guide possible treatments for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, choline supplementation could lessen learning and memory problems and support healthier brain development in children exposed to alcohol before birth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies, including this group's rat work, have shown that postnatal choline can reduce cognitive deficits, but evidence in people is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Jennifer D — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Jennifer D
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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.