How maternal exercise and obesity affect brain development in babies
Official title: Metabolic hormones and their involvement in the positive and negative effects of maternal exercise and obesity on synaptic development
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11141582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a mother's exercise and weight during pregnancy can affect her baby's brain development, especially in areas that help with thinking and emotions, to find ways to support better mental health for children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $537,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111948-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those who are obese or engage in regular exercise.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with pre-existing severe neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of maternal exercise and obesity on the development of brain synapses in babies. It focuses on how metabolic hormones, particularly insulin, influence the formation of synapses in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for cognition and emotional health. By studying the effects of maternal metabolic states, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to improved mental health outcomes for children. The study will involve analyzing how maternal behaviors and conditions during pregnancy affect the neurological development of their offspring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that improve cognitive and emotional health in children born to mothers with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the effects of maternal health on child development, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wayman, Gary Allen — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Wayman, Gary Allen
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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.