How maternal e-cigarette exposure affects addiction in children
Official title: Effects of maternal e-cigarette aerosol exposure on nicotine's addiction-related behavioral and neurobiological effects in offspring
Funded at Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute · NIH-11048991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being around e-cigarette smoke during pregnancy might affect a child's behavior and brain development, especially in terms of attention and impulse control, to help understand the risks for moms and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $692,419 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA060187-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who use e-cigarettes and their children, particularly those under the age of 11.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use e-cigarettes or are not pregnant may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal exposure to e-cigarette aerosols during pregnancy on the behavior and brain development of offspring. Using animal models, the study aims to understand how nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes may lead to addiction-related behaviors and neurobiological changes in children. The research focuses on the potential long-term consequences of prenatal exposure to electronic nicotine delivery systems, particularly concerning impulsivity and attention disorders like ADHD. By examining these effects, the study seeks to fill a critical gap in knowledge regarding the risks associated with e-cigarette use during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for addiction-related issues in children exposed to e-cigarettes in utero.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically on e-cigarettes, studies on maternal smoking have shown significant adverse effects on child development, suggesting that similar risks may exist with e-cigarette use.
Where this research is happening
-
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lesage, Mark G — Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Lesage, Mark G
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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.