Impact of air pollution and early life stress on children's learning difficulties
Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Air Pollution and Early Life Stress on Dopaminergic and Cognitive Systems and Their Contributions to Environmentally-Associated Learning Difficulties
This study looks at how being exposed to air pollution and stress before birth can impact how well children from low-income communities learn and think, using animal models to understand the effects on their brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10909869 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how prenatal exposure to air pollution and early life stress affects children's cognitive development and learning abilities. It focuses on children from economically disadvantaged communities who are more likely to face these environmental challenges. By studying biological and cognitive pathways, the research aims to understand how these factors contribute to learning difficulties. The study utilizes animal models to explore the effects of these exposures on brain systems related to dopamine, which is crucial for cognitive functions like attention and learning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been exposed to prenatal air pollution and early life stress, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Not a fit: Patients who are not affected by prenatal air pollution or early life stress, or those outside the age range of 0-11 years, may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for learning difficulties in children exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that environmental factors like air pollution can significantly impact cognitive development, suggesting that this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Margolis, Amy — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Margolis, Amy
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.