How prenatal air pollution exposure affects childhood social anxiety symptoms
Official title: Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution and Childhood Social Anxiety Symptoms: Novel pathogenic pathways
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10981407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $701,902 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES035792-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who were exposed to air pollution during the prenatal period.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by prenatal air pollution exposure or who do not exhibit social anxiety symptoms may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Margolis, Amy — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Margolis, Amy
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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.