How prenatal alcohol exposure affects maternal and fetal metabolism
Official title: Maternal Fetal Metabolic Disruption in Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10991487 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy can affect a mother's metabolism and her baby's growth, using mice to help us understand the connection between the two, with hopes of finding ways to support healthier pregnancies.
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 start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AA028291-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991487 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who consume alcohol or have a history of alcohol use during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the metabolic processes of both mothers and their developing fetuses. It aims to understand how alcohol consumption during pregnancy disrupts maternal metabolism, which in turn affects fetal growth and development. Using a mouse model, the study will explore the relationship between maternal insulin resistance and fetal glucose availability, providing insights into the mechanisms behind fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The findings could lead to better understanding and potential interventions for affected pregnancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and managing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding metabolic disruptions can lead to significant advancements in managing prenatal conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
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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.