Effects of flame retardants on brain development and behavior
Official title: Neurodevelopmental effects of flame retardant exposure
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-10793832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being exposed to flame retardants while growing up might affect anxiety and social behaviors, especially in prairie voles, to help us understand how these chemicals could influence similar issues in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $398,838 |
| NIH project number | 1U01ES035843-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10793832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of neurodevelopmental disorders or those concerned about the effects of environmental chemical exposures on their children.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have neurodevelopmental concerns or who have not been exposed to flame retardants may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to flame retardants during development affects neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly anxiety and social behaviors. Using prairie voles, a species known for their social behaviors, the study examines how these chemicals impact anxiety levels and social interactions, with a focus on differences between male and female responses. The research aims to establish a clearer link between environmental chemical exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, which has been challenging in previous studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders linked to environmental exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental exposures can impact neurodevelopment, but this specific approach using prairie voles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meitzen, John — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Meitzen, John
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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.