How maternal exposure to harmful toxins affects stress response in children
Official title: The impact of maternal cyanotoxin ingestion on the development and function of the stress axis in offspring
Funded at Kent State University · NIH-10974817 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how eating certain toxins from harmful algae can affect how a mother’s body and her baby handle stress, with a focus on understanding if this could lead to anxiety or depression in the child later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kent State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kent, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $448,383 |
| NIH project number | 1R15ES036710-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10974817 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers who have been exposed to cyanotoxins during pregnancy and their children.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to cyanotoxins or whose mothers did not ingest these toxins during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ingestion of cyanotoxins by mothers impacts the development and functioning of the stress response system in their offspring. It focuses on the effects of microcystins, which are toxic compounds produced by harmful algal blooms in freshwater. The study examines the relationship between maternal exposure to these toxins and the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates stress responses. By analyzing the biological and behavioral outcomes in offspring, the research aims to understand potential links to anxiety and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of stress-related mental health issues in children exposed to environmental toxins.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that exposure to environmental toxins can disrupt stress response systems, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Kent State University
Kent, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chung, Wilson — Kent State University
- Study coordinator: Chung, Wilson
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.