How prenatal folic acid and vitamin B12 levels affect early brain development
Folic Acid, B12, and Neurodevelopmental Risk
This project looks at whether too much or too little folic acid, and low vitamin B12 during pregnancy, change brain development and behavior in babies and young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332783 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team is using animal models to mimic high and low prenatal folic acid intake and vitamin B12 deficiency to see how these changes affect the developing cerebral cortex. They will measure brain structure, cellular development, biochemical markers, and later behavior that relates to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and anxiety. The work aims to connect specific prenatal nutrient levels to patterns of abnormal brain growth and function. Findings are intended to help shape safer prenatal nutrition recommendations in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, parents of infants, and families with a history of neurodevelopmental disorders may find the results most relevant.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, not planning pregnancy, or whose concerns are unrelated to prenatal nutrition are unlikely to gain direct benefits from this preclinical project right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform safer prenatal folic acid and B12 guidelines to lower the chance of neurodevelopmental problems in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human and animal studies have shown folate and B12 affect neural development and neural tube defects are prevented by folic acid, but the effects of excess folic acid on cortical development are less well established and this work is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zarbalis, Konstantinos — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Zarbalis, Konstantinos
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.