Dopamine’s role in mind-body signals linked to spontaneous preterm birth
Official title: Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11346169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how dopamine-related signals in a mother may help keep pregnancy on track and prevent early birth, by studying brain, immune, and hormonal interactions in both mice and humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $657,971 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD121701-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11346169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant people at risk for spontaneous preterm birth, with emphasis on those in early gestation.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant people without these at-risk signals or who do not experience inflammatory conditions may not benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will study how dopamine in the mother’s brain and body affects inflammatory processes that can lead to spontaneous preterm birth. The study will use mouse models and human placental samples to map neuroimmunoendocrine pathways and track changes over time. The goal is to identify timing-and-signature patterns that predict preterm birth and uncover potential targets for safe therapies to support full-term pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier prediction of preterm birth and new ways to prevent it by modulating neuroimmunoendocrine signals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked maternal stress, immune factors, and placental biology to preterm birth, suggesting this integrative approach has promise.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stelzer, Ina — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Stelzer, Ina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Xylitol to Prevent Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth in Pregnancy and Early Childhood
A safe, inexpensive chewable gum approach using xylitol is tested to help pregnant people reduce gum disease and lower the chance of preterm birth and related child health problems.
-
Screening and treatment for Chlamydia infection to help prevent preterm birth
A study in pregnant people will test whether screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating it during pregnancy can reduce the risk of babies being born too early.
-
IL-9 Signaling and Immune-Driven Preterm Birth
This NIH grant supports training a physician-scientist to lead a new lab studying how immune signals, especially IL-9, affect preterm birth.
-
Predicting Preterm Birth with Longitudinal Multi-Omics Data
A new, patient-friendly approach uses time-aware omics data from pregnancy to better predict preterm birth and uncover underlying biology.
-
Skeletal health after preterm birth in adults
Researchers will study why people born prematurely have weaker bones and fractures, starting in infancy and following into adulthood.
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.