How the brain influences the immune system during pregnancy
Neuromodulation of maternal immune adaptations in pregnancy
This study is looking at how the brain and immune system work together during pregnancy to help the body accept the growing baby, especially for women who might have issues like preterm birth, with the goal of finding better ways to support healthy pregnancies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10919235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain interacts with the immune system during pregnancy, particularly focusing on the adaptations that allow the body to tolerate the developing fetus. It aims to understand the role of the sympathetic nervous system in regulating immune responses, especially in women facing complications like preterm birth. Using advanced techniques in immunology and neuroscience, the study will analyze how certain immune cells respond to signals from the nervous system throughout pregnancy. The findings could help identify risks and improve treatments for problematic pregnancies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women, particularly those in their third trimester or those experiencing complications such as preterm birth.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who have already delivered may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better risk assessment and treatment options for women experiencing complications during pregnancy.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, there is existing literature suggesting that understanding the neuroimmune interactions during pregnancy could lead to significant advancements in maternal-fetal medicine.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stelzer, Ina — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Stelzer, Ina
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.