How older mothers affect heart health in their offspring
Official title: Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease in Offspring from Non-Human Primate Pregnancies at Advanced Maternal Age
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10805491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having babies at an older age might affect both the pregnancy and the future heart health of the children, using vervet monkeys to help us understand these effects better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $694,149 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164434-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10805491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include children born to mothers aged 35 and older.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not born to older mothers or do not have cardiovascular concerns may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of advanced maternal age on pregnancy outcomes and the long-term cardiovascular health of offspring using non-human primates. By studying the vervet monkey, which closely resembles human reproductive physiology, researchers aim to understand how an unfavorable intrauterine environment can lead to health risks like cardiovascular disease in children. The study will involve monitoring maternal cardiovascular health and conducting blood and tissue sampling to assess the effects on offspring over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases in children born to older mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown some correlation between maternal age and offspring cardiovascular health, but this research aims to provide more comprehensive insights using a non-human primate model.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cilvik, Sarah N — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Cilvik, Sarah N
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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.