How maternal diabetes affects early brain development in children

Effects of Maternal Diabetes on early brain development

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-11053472

This study is looking at how diabetes in pregnant moms might affect their children's brain development and health, especially for kids under three, to help find ways to prevent obesity and other health issues later on.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11053472 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of maternal diabetes during pregnancy on the brain development of children, particularly focusing on those under the age of three. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking maternal diabetes to childhood obesity and related health risks. The research will analyze brain structure and function during critical developmental periods, allowing for a better understanding of how prenatal factors influence long-term health outcomes. The goal is to identify early risk factors that can inform prevention strategies for obesity and other associated conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under the age of three whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of maternal diabetes during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing obesity and related health issues in children exposed to maternal diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of maternal health on child development, but this study aims to address gaps in existing literature with a novel multimodal approach.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.