How early life exposure to cadmium affects liver disease later in life

The Imprinted Gene Network in the programming of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by early life cadmium exposure

NIH-funded research North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-10818582

This study is looking at how being exposed to cadmium early in life might lead to liver problems later on, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how environmental toxins can affect our health over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorth Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Raleigh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10818582 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of cadmium exposure during early life on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adulthood. The study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms linking cadmium exposure to liver disease by analyzing DNA from newborns and using mouse and cell culture models. By identifying specific molecular signatures associated with cadmium, the researchers hope to develop strategies for preventing or reversing NAFLD. This research could provide valuable insights into how environmental toxins affect long-term health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who were exposed to cadmium during early life and are now experiencing symptoms related to liver disease.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to cadmium or do not have any liver disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown that early life exposure to environmental toxins can lead to significant health issues later in life, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Raleigh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions behavioral disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.