How mercury and selenium affect brain development and mental health
Official title: Assessment of the joint influence of methylmercury and selenium upon postnatal brain development and risk for psychiatric disorders
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11032032 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being exposed to small amounts of mercury and having different levels of selenium might affect brain development in teenagers and could increase the risk of mental health problems later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | February 9, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,538 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES035851-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032032 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults who may have been exposed to mercury or have varying dietary selenium intake.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to mercury or do not fall within the adolescent to young adult age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of mercury exposure and selenium levels on brain development during adolescence and the potential risk for psychiatric disorders. It focuses on understanding how low-dose mercury exposure affects specific neural circuits and cell types, particularly those involved in balancing excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain. By examining the interactions between these two elements, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that may lead to mental health issues later in life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for psychiatric disorders linked to environmental exposures in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that environmental toxins like mercury can significantly impact brain development, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pitts, Matthew William — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Pitts, Matthew William
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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.