How prenatal alcohol exposure changes brain support cells (astrocytes)
Astrocyte gene expression and translation in an in vivo FASD mouse model
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure around birth changes the activity of brain support cells called astrocytes to improve understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173714 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses a mouse model of prenatal alcohol exposure to study changes inside astrocytes, the brain's support cells. The team will tag and pull down astrocyte-specific translating RNA with a TRAP approach and isolate astrocyte nuclei by fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS), then read RNA by sequencing. They will compare which genes are transcribed versus which are actually translated into proteins and examine changes in structures like the extracellular matrix that astrocytes help build. The goal is to identify molecular changes in astrocytes that could explain brain differences seen in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is preclinical mouse research that does not enroll people, but it is most relevant to individuals and families affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Not a fit: Because this project is laboratory-based in animals, people seeking immediate treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from it.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific molecular changes that point to future targets for therapies or biomarkers for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Related animal studies have found molecular effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, but astrocyte-specific translation profiling in vivo is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guizzetti, Marina — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Guizzetti, Marina
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.