How early-life arsenic exposure affects biological aging and health risks
Official title: Programming of Epigenetic Clocks and Biomarkers from Early-life Arsenic Exposure
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10922810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking water with arsenic can affect your health over time, especially how it might speed up aging and lead to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems, and it's for people who have been exposed to high levels of arsenic in places like Antofagasta, Chile.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $232,708 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES035517-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who were exposed to high levels of arsenic in their drinking water during early life, particularly those from the Antofagasta region.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to arsenic or who are not from the affected regions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term health effects of arsenic exposure from contaminated drinking water, particularly focusing on how it influences biological aging and the development of chronic diseases. By analyzing samples from a large epidemiological study in Antofagasta, Chile, where residents experienced high arsenic levels for over a decade, the researchers aim to understand the epigenetic changes that may link arsenic exposure to health issues like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The study will track participants over time to assess the persistence of these changes and their clinical relevance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for chronic diseases linked to arsenic exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant associations between arsenic exposure and various health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cardenas, Andres — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Cardenas, Andres
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.