How environmental chemicals affect brain development and health across generations
Official title: Environmental Epigenetics of EDCs: From Germline to Brain
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11062516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in our environment can affect brain development and health, especially in young children, and how these effects might change how the brain and reproductive system work in both boys and girls over time.
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 start | June 6, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $939,495 |
| NIH project number | 5R35ES035024-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to environmental endocrine disruptors, particularly during early life stages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals or who do not have a history of neurobehavioral or reproductive disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on brain development and health, particularly focusing on how these exposures during early life can lead to lasting changes in the germline and brain function. The study aims to uncover the epigenetic mechanisms that link EDC exposure to neurobehavioral and reproductive disorders, with a special emphasis on differences between male and female responses. By examining various tissue types and cellular mechanisms, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these chemicals affect health across generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of neurobehavioral and reproductive disorders linked to environmental exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental exposures can lead to significant health impacts, but this study aims to explore novel aspects of epigenetic programming that have not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.