How maternal obesity affects children's emotional development through gut health
Official title: Prenatal maternal obesity and neurodevelopment: The mediating role of the microbiome and metabolome
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11059183 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being overweight during pregnancy might affect a child's ability to manage their emotions as they grow, focusing on the mother's gut health and its impact on the child's brain development from birth to two years old.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $629,722 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133313-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059183 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with obesity who are seeking to understand the potential impacts of their health on their child's emotional development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with normal weight may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how obesity in expectant mothers may impact their children's ability to regulate emotions. It focuses on the role of the maternal gut microbiome and metabolites during pregnancy, examining how these factors influence brain development and emotional health in children from birth to 24 months. The study employs advanced imaging techniques and behavioral assessments to track changes over time, aiming to uncover the biological mechanisms linking maternal health and child emotional outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing emotional and psychological issues in children born to obese mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between maternal health and child development, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Posner, Jonathan E — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Posner, Jonathan E
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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.