How alcohol disrupts signaling in the developing brain
Ethanol-induced disruption of kinase signaling pathways in brain development
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes key signaling proteins that guide fetal brain wiring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162432 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how brief alcohol exposure affects signaling proteins in developing brain cells that guide how neurons grow and connect. The team studies embryonic neurons and lab models to track changes in enzymes like Src kinase and adaptor proteins such as Dab1 that control layer formation and dendrite growth. They map an initial spike then a sustained drop in protein phosphorylation after alcohol exposure and test whether these changes explain disrupted axon and dendrite development. The goal is to find common molecular steps that could point to ways to protect the fetal brain from alcohol damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is laboratory-based and does not enroll patients or require participants for clinical procedures.
Not a fit: Because the work is preclinical lab research, pregnant people and children are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this grant itself.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to molecular targets for therapies or preventive treatments to reduce brain wiring problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown alcohol alters signaling proteins like Src and Dab1, and this project builds on those findings though clinical treatments remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
Syracuse, United States
- Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olson, Eric Christopher — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Olson, Eric Christopher
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.