How traffic-related air pollution affects brain development in children

Prenatal Traffic-Related Air Pollutants, Placental Epitranscriptomics, and Child Cognition

['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11246291

This study looks at how air pollution from traffic might affect the brains of developing children by exploring how it impacts the placenta, which is important for their growth and brain development, to find ways to help protect kids from these harmful pollutants.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11246291 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of traffic-related air pollution on the developing brain of children by examining how these pollutants affect the placenta, which plays a crucial role in fetal growth and neurodevelopment. The study focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms, specifically the role of epitranscriptomic modifications, that may mediate the harmful effects of these pollutants. By analyzing the placental response to air pollution, researchers aim to uncover new insights that could lead to protective strategies for children exposed to these environmental toxins.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women exposed to traffic-related air pollution and their children, particularly those under the age of 11.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions to protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution on cognitive development.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research linking air pollution to neurodevelopmental issues, this specific approach focusing on placental epitranscriptomics is novel and has not been extensively studied.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, 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.