Environmental chemicals and blood markers linked to cerebral palsy
Environmental Chemical Exposures and Biologic Markers for Cerebral Palsy (EXPOSE CP)
This project looks at whether common pregnancy and newborn chemical exposures and blood markers are connected to cerebral palsy in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child lived in California during pregnancy or at birth, researchers will use stored prenatal and newborn blood samples and health records to look for chemical exposures tied to cerebral palsy. They will measure levels of PFAS, PBDEs, and selected pesticides alongside hormones and metabolites, comparing children with CP to others to find patterns. The team will combine these lab results with California pesticide-use records and the statewide CP diagnostic system to estimate exposure timing and sources. Their aim is to identify biological pathways, such as thyroid disruption or links with preterm birth, that might explain how exposures influence CP risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families in California with prenatal or newborn blood samples available—especially children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and matched comparison children.
Not a fit: People who live outside California or who do not have stored prenatal/newborn samples or medical records in California's systems are unlikely to participate or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify preventable environmental risks and early blood markers that help with earlier detection, prevention, or targeted care for cerebral palsy.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier pilot work from this team and other studies have suggested links between some of these chemicals and neurodevelopment, but this larger, biomarker-focused project is a newer, more comprehensive effort.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liew, Zeyan — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Liew, Zeyan
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.