How early exposure to anesthesia may affect a child’s brain
Official title: The Effects of Anesthetic and Sedative Exposure on Brain Development
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11539346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how short or long exposure to anesthesia in early childhood could influence brain development and later neurologic function in kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $427,625 |
| NIH project number | 7R35GM158124-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children who may require anesthesia in early life and whose development could be affected by exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Children without exposure to anesthetic drugs or with no risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses animal models and human data to explore whether exposure to anesthetic and sedative drugs during early life can changedaturing brain development. Researchers will compare molecular and neural circuitry effects across models and look for links to later cognitive or behavioral outcomes. The study aims to fill gaps between animal findings and human biology, while addressing confounding factors present in clinical settings. The work could inform safer anesthesia practices for children and guide future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to safer anesthesia protocols for young children and reduce potential neurodevelopmental risks.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies suggest possible neurodevelopmental effects; human data are mixed, making this link uncertain and warranting further study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mintz, Cyrus David — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Mintz, Cyrus David
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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.