How early alcohol exposure changes developing memory circuits
Alcohol and Developing Neuronal Circuits
This project looks at how alcohol exposure around birth alters brain connections that support memory, with the goal of helping people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 ID | NIH-11141815 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use animal models that mimic late-pregnancy alcohol exposure to study how memory-related brain regions communicate. They record electrical activity in brain slices and in live animals and use tools like optogenetics and tracing to map specific pathways between the hippocampus, retrosplenial cortex, and thalamus. By comparing exposed and unexposed animals, they aim to find which connections are weakened or abnormally inhibited. The findings are intended to point to precise circuit targets for future therapies to prevent or correct cognitive deficits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is focused on people affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, particularly those exposed to alcohol late in pregnancy.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems come from other causes (for example, head injury or genetic syndromes) may not benefit from findings specific to alcohol exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal specific brain circuit targets for treatments that prevent or reduce memory and learning problems from fetal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and clinical research links prenatal alcohol to memory deficits, but identifying and targeting the exact disrupted brain circuits remains largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valenzuela, Carlos Fernando — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Valenzuela, Carlos Fernando
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.