How prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals affects brain development and behavior in adolescents.

Prenatal Environmental Mixtures, Cognitive Control and Reward Processes, And Risk for Psychiatric Problems in Adolescence.

['FUNDING_R01'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11309893

This study is looking at how being exposed to certain chemicals during pregnancy might affect how a child's brain develops, especially in areas that control attention and reward, which could lead to challenges like attention problems or substance use when they are teenagers.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11309893 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy can impact the brain development of children, particularly focusing on cognitive control and reward processes. By using advanced imaging techniques like functional MRI, the study aims to identify how these exposures may lead to behavioral issues such as attention problems and substance abuse in adolescence. The research will analyze complex mixtures of prenatal exposures and their effects on neural circuits, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study is particularly important as it addresses a gap in understanding the long-term effects of prenatal environmental factors on adolescent behavior.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals and their children, particularly those who may have been exposed to environmental chemicals during pregnancy.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are beyond the age of adolescence may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for behavioral issues in adolescents linked to prenatal environmental exposures.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that prenatal exposures can significantly impact neurodevelopment, suggesting that this study's approach is grounded in established findings.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.