How prenatal air pollution exposure affects childhood social anxiety symptoms

Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution and Childhood Social Anxiety Symptoms: Novel pathogenic pathways

NIH-funded research Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10981407

This study looks at how being exposed to air pollution during pregnancy might affect children's chances of developing social anxiety, helping us understand which kids could be more at risk because of their environment before they were born.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10981407 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of prenatal exposure to air pollution on the development of social anxiety symptoms in children. It combines insights from environmental health and psychology to explore how exposure to harmful air pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can lead to increased anxiety behaviors in children. The study uses animal models to understand the biological pathways involved and aims to identify children who are most at risk due to their prenatal environment. By examining these connections, the research seeks to provide a clearer understanding of how environmental factors contribute to mental health issues in childhood.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who were exposed to air pollution during the prenatal period.

Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by prenatal air pollution exposure or who do not exhibit social anxiety symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and interventions for childhood social anxiety linked to environmental factors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated a correlation between environmental exposures and mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for significant findings.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.