How alcohol exposure in pregnancy affects brain myelin and learning
Official title: C6-Development and adaptive myelination
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11392552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how exposure to alcohol before birth changes the brain’s insulation (myelin) and learning abilities, using a mouse model to mirror late-pregnancy exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 | August 5, 2014 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $209,672 |
| NIH project number | 5P50AA022534-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with a history or risk of fetal alcohol exposure or related neurodevelopmental concerns, whose condition could be informed by future translations of this work.
✕Less likely to help
Results limited to preclinical mouse studies and basic mechanisms may not directly apply to every patient.
What this research studies
The project uses a third-trimester equivalent mouse model to study how developmental alcohol exposure alters oligodendrocyte precursor cells and myelin formation. It looks at gene expression and cell function to understand myelin plasticity during learning and memory. The aim is to link these brain changes to potential learning or behavioral differences that could be relevant to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The work focuses on adaptive myelination, a process influenced by neuronal activity that supports information processing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could reveal targets to protect or repair brain myelin and improve learning outcomes for individuals affected by fetal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show OPCs and myelination are affected by alcohol exposure, supporting the potential relevance of this line of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vue, Tou Yia — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vue, Tou Yia
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.