Effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on children's brain and behavior
Prenatal Cannabis Exposure (PreCE) and Immune-Endocannabinoid Pathways to Development of Offspring Brain and Behavior up to Age 6
This project looks at whether cannabis use during pregnancy changes children's brain development and behavior through early childhood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11361604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your child would join a long-term follow-up of mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy and mothers who did not, with data collected from birth through age 7. Children will come in for brain imaging and age‑appropriate behavioral tests at around ages 4–5 and 6–7. Researchers will combine maternal reports and urine/toxin measures (including THC-COOH) with imaging and biological measures of immune and endocannabinoid pathways. The goal is to see whether prenatal or secondhand exposure relates to differences in brain structure or attention, impulsivity, and other behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy (and their children) or mothers who used before but not during pregnancy who can attend follow-up imaging and behavioral visits.
Not a fit: People without prenatal or secondhand cannabis exposure or those unwilling/unable to come to in-person follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify links between prenatal cannabis exposure and child brain or behavior and help guide prevention, monitoring, or early intervention for affected children.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have reported mixed findings, with some links between prenatal cannabis exposure and lower birthweight or increased attention and behavior problems, but the evidence is not yet conclusive.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogers, Cynthia Elise — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Rogers, Cynthia Elise
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 below.