Developmental changes in autism risk linked to mom’s metabolism and genes
Official title: Developmental reprogramming by gene environment interactions
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11371337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using fruit flies and mice will explore how a mother’s metabolic state may influence the child’s brain development and autism-related features.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD119634-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with autism or autism-related histories and families interested in contributing to research on developmental origins of neurodevelopmental conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without autism or related developmental concerns may not directly benefit from this early-stage research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use fruit flies as a quick model to identify how maternal metabolic conditions interact with a human disease-related gene to influence early neural development. They will then test promising findings in a mammalian model to see if similar effects occur in more complex systems. The project aims to uncover molecular links between maternal health, genetic factors, and developmental outcomes that could relate to autism spectrum disorder. This early-stage work could pave the way for new strategies to prevent neurodevelopmental problems tied to maternal metabolism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets to reduce autism risk related to maternal health and genetic factors.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in mice and other models have shown that metabolism-gene interactions can influence neurodevelopment, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lempradl, Heidi — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Lempradl, Heidi
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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.