How exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy and stress in adulthood affects thinking skills.
Official title: The interaction of perinatal organophosphate flame retardant exposure and adult chronic stress on cognitive processing
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-10772967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being around certain chemicals during pregnancy and dealing with stress as an adult might affect thinking skills like memory and decision-making, especially for people with mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | February 2, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $120,789 |
| NIH project number | 5K99ES033256-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10772967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have experienced chronic stress and may have cognitive impairments or mental health disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of chronic stress or cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to organophosphate flame retardants during pregnancy and chronic stress in adulthood may impact cognitive abilities such as memory and decision-making. The study aims to understand the combined effects of these factors on cognitive decline, particularly in individuals with mental health disorders. By examining both environmental chemical exposure and stress, the research seeks to uncover potential mechanisms that exacerbate cognitive impairment. The methodology includes animal models to simulate chronic stress and assess cognitive outcomes related to chemical exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for cognitive impairments associated with mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that exposure to environmental chemicals can lead to cognitive impairments, suggesting that this study's approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiersielis, Kimberly Robyn — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Wiersielis, Kimberly Robyn
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.