How support cells and neurons change after prenatal alcohol exposure
Glia-neuron Interaction in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Researchers are studying whether alcohol exposure before birth causes changes in brain support cells that lead to altered wiring and learning problems in young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247593 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective: the team uses laboratory models that mimic late-pregnancy alcohol exposure to study changes in the developing hippocampus. They focus on astrocytes (brain support cells) that make two enzymes, ADAMTS5 and tPA, which cut an extracellular protein called brevican into a fragment (brevikine) that can make neurons grow extra branches. The researchers compare normal models with ones where those enzymes are removed from astrocytes to see if that stops the abnormal growth and later memory or learning problems. The work connects early molecular changes to brain wiring and behavior to point toward possible treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll people now — it is laboratory research using animal models of prenatal alcohol exposure, so patients cannot join directly.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments or clinical care for fetal alcohol effects should not expect direct benefit from this lab-only project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets in support cells that might be used to prevent or reduce learning and memory problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies have shown that extracellular matrix remodeling and astrocyte signals can change neuronal growth, but linking ADAMTS5/tPA-driven brevican cleavage to FASD-related wiring is a novel, less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Portland VA Medical Center — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guizzetti, Marina — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Guizzetti, Marina
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.