How chemicals during pregnancy affect children's brain development and how nutrition can help.
Official title: Maternal exposure to chemicals and offspring neurodevelopmental disabilities: informing public health actions by understanding nutritional modifiers and simulating interventions
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11127870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to harmful chemicals during pregnancy might affect children's brain development, and it wants to see if good nutrition can help reduce those risks, all while focusing on different groups of people and various developmental challenges kids might face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00ES035464-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or those planning to become pregnant, particularly those exposed to environmental chemicals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have already given birth may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of exposure to harmful chemicals, such as metals and PFAS, during pregnancy on the neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It aims to understand how nutritional factors may modify these effects and to simulate potential interventions that could mitigate risks. By addressing gaps in existing studies, the research will focus on diverse populations and consider multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes rather than just one. The goal is to generate actionable insights that can inform public health policies to protect children's health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved public health strategies that reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the interplay between environmental exposures and nutrition can lead to significant advancements in public health, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Giehae — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Choi, Giehae
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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.