How stress during pregnancy and a mother's gut microbes may shape a child's brain and behavior
Prenatal neuroinflammation: maternal microbiome contributions and behavioral consequences
['FUNDING_R01'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11284105
This project looks at whether stress during pregnancy changes a mother's gut microbes and inflammation in ways that can affect a child's brain and behavior.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11284105 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work uses a mouse model to mimic stress during pregnancy so researchers can track how the mother's gut microbes and inflammatory signals change, with special attention to a chemical called CCL2. The team measures immune cells in and around the developing brain (like microglia and monocytes) and follows offspring behavior over time, including social behaviors. By comparing animals with different microbiomes and levels of CCL2, they hope to identify how microbes and inflammation together disrupt normal brain development and cause lasting behavioral changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People concerned about prenatal stress—such as pregnant individuals who experienced significant stress or parents of children with anxiety or social difficulties—are the most relevant groups for future related clinical work.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical mouse research, it will not provide immediate treatments for people who already have established neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to prevent or reduce harmful prenatal inflammation—for example via microbiome or anti-inflammatory strategies—to lower the risk of later social or psychiatric problems in children.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have linked prenatal stress, microbiome shifts, and increased CCL2 to altered offspring behavior, but translating these findings into human therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY — Columbus, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GUR, TAMAR — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: GUR, TAMAR
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.