How air pollution affects brain function in teenagers
Official title: Particle Pollution Impact on Prefrontal Cortex Function During Adolescence
Funded at Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado · NIH-10795480 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in air pollution might affect the brains of teenagers, especially in areas that help with thinking and emotions, to better understand how this could be linked to mental health issues that often start during these years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Carolina, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $366,692 |
| NIH project number | 1R15ES035973-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795480 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be exposed to varying levels of air pollution.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those with pre-existing severe mental health conditions unrelated to environmental factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to particle pollution impacts brain function during adolescence, particularly focusing on the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for cognitive and emotional regulation. The study aims to understand the biological mechanisms behind these effects and their potential link to mental health disorders that often emerge during this developmental stage. By examining the neurocognitive outcomes associated with air pollution, the research seeks to fill knowledge gaps regarding the vulnerability of adolescents to environmental toxins. Participants may undergo assessments to evaluate cognitive function and mental health in relation to their exposure to air pollution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for mental health disorders linked to air pollution in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown associations between air pollution and cognitive impairments, suggesting that this study's approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado
Carolina, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mendez, Loyda Beatriz — Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado
- Study coordinator: Mendez, Loyda Beatriz
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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xMAP Intelliflex System access for UAGM-Carolina researchers
A special instrument grant helps Universidad Ana G. Méndez–Carolina buy a high‑throughput system to profile many biomolecules at once, boosting student research and collaborations.
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.