How prenatal exposure to bisphenols and maternal care affects brain development
Official title: Interactive Effects of Prenatal Bisphenol Exposure and Postnatal Maternal Care on DNA Methylation in the Developing Brain
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-10907466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being around certain chemicals in plastics during pregnancy might affect a child's brain development, especially when combined with the care a mother gives after birth, to help us understand how these factors could influence a child's growth and behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $78,960 |
| NIH project number | 5F32ES035254-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals or those with children aged 0-11 years who may have been exposed to bisphenols.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have children in the specified age range may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to bisphenols, common chemicals found in plastics, during pregnancy affects the developing brain of children. It examines the interaction between prenatal bisphenol exposure and the quality of maternal care after birth, focusing on how these factors influence DNA methylation, a process that can affect gene expression. Using animal models, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these effects and their potential long-term impacts on neurodevelopment and behavior in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of how environmental factors influence child development and inform strategies to mitigate risks associated with prenatal chemical exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals can negatively impact child development, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lauby, Samantha — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Lauby, Samantha
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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.