How common hormone-disrupting chemicals can change genes and the brain across generations
Environmental Epigenetics of EDCs: From Germline to Brain
This research looks at whether early-life exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals can reprogram genes in germ cells and the developing brain, causing lasting effects in males, females, and their descendants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303418 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are using laboratory models to follow how exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals before birth affects gene regulation in sperm/eggs and in different brain cell types. They will compare males and females, map multiple epigenetic mechanisms across tissues, and trace effects across generations to see how changes in germ cells might lead to brain and behavioral differences later on. The team combines molecular mapping of epigenetic marks with measures of brain function and behavior to link molecular changes to real neurobiological outcomes. The work is focused on laboratory models and detailed tissue analyses rather than clinical testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People worried about prenatal or early-life exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals—especially expectant parents and families concerned about developmental or reproductive effects—would find the results most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments for existing neurological or reproductive conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how chemical exposures before birth lead to lasting brain and reproductive problems and point to ways to prevent or reduce those harms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show EDCs can alter epigenetic marks and behavior, but this comprehensive, sex-specific, multi-tissue, transgenerational mapping approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gore, Andrea C — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Gore, Andrea C
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.