Impact of lead exposure during pregnancy and early childhood on brain development
Prenatal and Early Postnatal Lead Exposure on Childhood and Adolescent Brain, Cognitive and Behavioral Development
This study is looking at how being exposed to lead during pregnancy and early childhood can impact children's brain development and behavior, especially in families facing economic challenges, and it involves analyzing baby teeth to see when and how much lead exposure happened.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10865061 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to lead during pregnancy and early childhood affects brain, cognitive, and behavioral development in children. By using a novel tooth dentine assay, the study measures lead exposure from the second trimester of pregnancy through childhood, allowing researchers to track the timing and extent of exposure. The research focuses on understanding the relationship between lead exposure, socioeconomic status, and brain structure, particularly in disadvantaged populations. Participants will include children whose parents have consented to provide shed baby teeth for analysis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been exposed to lead during pregnancy or early childhood.
Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to lead or are 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 to mitigate the harmful effects of lead exposure on child development.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown significant negative impacts of lead exposure on child development, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Children's Hospital of Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sowell, Elizabeth R — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Sowell, Elizabeth R
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.