How alcohol exposure during pregnancy affects memory development in children
Official title: The Impact of Third Trimester Alcohol Exposure on Memories Encoded by Sharp-Wave Ripples of the Hippocampal-Retrosplenial Cortex Circuit
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-10998804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how drinking alcohol during the last part of pregnancy might affect how kids remember things, using mice to see how it changes brain activity related to learning and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,563 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AA031916-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or those who have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or do not have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of alcohol exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy on the development of memory in children. Using a mouse model, the study will explore how alcohol affects specific brain activities related to learning and memory, particularly focusing on sharp wave ripples in the hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex. Researchers will implant electrodes to monitor brain activity while the mice perform memory tasks, allowing them to analyze how alcohol exposure alters memory formation and consolidation. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms behind learning and memory deficits observed in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for learning and memory issues in children affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the neurodevelopmental impacts of alcohol exposure can lead to significant advancements in treatment and support for affected children.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myrick, Abbey — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Myrick, Abbey
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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.