Effects of fentanyl exposure during pregnancy on baby development
Official title: Understanding the effects of gestational fentanyl exposure on external morphology, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and brain volume, morphology and neurochemistry of offspring
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11146841 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to fentanyl while pregnant might impact the growth and brain development of babies, using a rodent model to see if it causes any physical or behavioral changes in newborns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA062066-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146841 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who have used fentanyl during their pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to fentanyl during pregnancy or those whose exposure was not isolated may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to fentanyl during pregnancy affects the development of offspring, particularly focusing on their physical and brain development. Using a rodent model, the study will assess various outcomes such as body malformations, brain structure, and behavior in newborns. The researchers will measure these effects through advanced imaging techniques and behavioral assessments to understand the implications of fentanyl exposure on neonatal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of health risks for babies exposed to fentanyl in utero.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into the effects of opioids during pregnancy, this specific focus on fentanyl exposure and its unique impacts is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perrine, Shane Alan — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Perrine, Shane Alan
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.