How prenatal exposure to certain chemicals affects child brain development.

Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Child Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mediation by Cytokines and DNA Methylation

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10976336

This study is looking at how being exposed to certain chemicals during pregnancy might affect a child's chances of developing autism or ADHD, and it’s for parents who want to understand more about how the environment can impact their child's brain development.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10976336 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the development of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. It aims to understand the biological mechanisms, specifically focusing on inflammation and DNA methylation changes, that may mediate these effects. By analyzing data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, the study seeks to fill gaps in knowledge regarding how these environmental factors influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. The findings could provide insights into prevention strategies for these disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who may have been exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown associations between prenatal chemical exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders, but this study aims to explore these connections in a comprehensive manner.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.