How prenatal alcohol changes mother and baby metabolism
Maternal Fetal Metabolic Disruption in Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
This project looks at whether drinking alcohol during pregnancy changes a mother's metabolism in ways that reduce glucose for the fetus and harm fetal growth and brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists use a well-established mouse model that mimics prenatal alcohol exposure to study effects on pregnancy metabolism. They measure maternal blood sugar, insulin, amino acid byproducts, and other metabolic markers while tracking fetal body and brain weight. The team tests whether alcohol stops the normal shift to an insulin-resistant state in pregnancy, which may limit glucose available to the fetus. Findings will connect specific maternal metabolic changes to growth and brain outcomes in the offspring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll people; it is conducted in mice, so patients cannot join this research.
Not a fit: Because the work is done in animals to understand mechanisms, pregnant people and their babies would not receive direct benefit from this grant at this time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the results could reveal metabolic targets or timing for interventions to prevent growth and brain problems from prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show alcohol alters metabolism, but focusing on a failed maternal insulin-resistant adaptation as the cause of fetal growth restriction is a novel approach supported by preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saini, Nipun — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Saini, Nipun
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 below.