How maternal immune health affects behavior in offspring
Official title: Maternal Interleukin-4 and allergic asthma in mouse offspring behavioral deficits
Funded at Mount Holyoke College · NIH-10788792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a mother's immune system during pregnancy, especially if she has allergic asthma, might affect her child's behavior and development, like the chances of having autism or ADHD, using mice to understand the science behind it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mount Holyoke College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (South Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2019 |
| Project end | February 19, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $443,738 |
| NIH project number | 2R15MH119500-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10788792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers with a history of allergic asthma who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a family history of immune system dysfunction or those not at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of a mother's immune system during pregnancy on the behavioral development of her children. It focuses on how maternal allergic asthma may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in offspring. By using a mouse model, the study examines the role of specific immune proteins, known as cytokines, in influencing behavior and social interactions in young mice. The findings aim to uncover the biological mechanisms linking maternal health and child development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown associations between maternal immune health and neurodevelopmental outcomes, suggesting that this research builds on established findings rather than exploring entirely novel territory.
Where this research is happening
-
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartzer, Jared — Mount Holyoke College
- Study coordinator: Schwartzer, Jared
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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.