How a high-fat diet during pregnancy affects the brain of offspring
Resolving the effects of dietary fat induced maternal CXCL12 on offspring hypothalamus using spatial gene transcriptomics
This study is looking at how a mom's high-fat diet during pregnancy might affect her baby's brain development, especially in areas that control hunger, and it aims to see if lowering a certain protein can help prevent any negative changes in the baby's brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | College at Old Westbury NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Old Westbury, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10686263 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy influences the brain development of her offspring, particularly focusing on changes in the hypothalamus, which regulates feeding behavior. By using a rat model, the study aims to understand the role of a specific protein, CXCL12, in this process. Researchers will employ advanced techniques to analyze brain tissue and measure changes in neuron types and gene expression related to appetite control. The ultimate goal is to determine if reducing maternal CXCL12 levels can prevent these brain changes in offspring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who consume high-fat diets and are concerned about the potential health impacts on their offspring.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not consume high-fat diets may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing obesity in children born to mothers with high-fat diets.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of targeting CXCL12 in this context is novel, previous research has shown that maternal diet can significantly affect offspring health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Old Westbury, United States
- College at Old Westbury — Old Westbury, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poon, Kinning — College at Old Westbury
- Study coordinator: Poon, Kinning
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.