How maternal substance use affects child brain development
Official title: Impact of maternal substance use on offspring neurobehavioral development
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10750254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using substances like opioids, cannabis, and alcohol during pregnancy affects how children grow and develop, especially their brain and behavior, to help understand any challenges they might face later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $6,439,263 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113188-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10750254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals who have used substances such as opioids, cannabis, or alcohol during their pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not used any substances during pregnancy or whose children are not exhibiting neurodevelopmental issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of substance use during pregnancy on the neurobehavioral development of children. It focuses on understanding how maternal immune activation, triggered by the use of opioids, cannabis, and alcohol, impacts the development of the child's brain and behavior. By analyzing data from a large cohort of mother-child pairs, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking maternal substance use to developmental issues such as cognitive dysfunction and mood disorders. The research will also explore the role of the placenta in these processes, providing insights into potential interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders in children exposed to substances in utero.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of maternal substance use on child development, making this study a continuation of important work in this field.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edlow, Andrea Goldberg — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Edlow, Andrea Goldberg
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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.