Impact of maternal obesity and inflammation on the brain development of children

Effects of maternal obesity and inflammation on offspring brain development

NIH-funded research Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-10660984

This study is looking at how being overweight during pregnancy might affect how babies' brains develop, and it's for pregnant women of all sizes who want to understand how their health could impact their child's future thinking skills.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionArkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Little Rock, United States)
Project IDNIH-10660984 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how maternal obesity during pregnancy affects the brain development of infants. It aims to understand the specific brain structures and functions that are impacted by the inflammatory environment associated with obesity. By recruiting both normal-weight and obese pregnant women, the study will analyze inflammatory markers and correlate them with brain development outcomes assessed through advanced MRI and neurodevelopmental tests. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind these changes and their long-term effects on cognitive functioning in children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant women who are either of normal weight or classified as obese.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not fall into the categories of normal-weight or obese may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for cognitive development issues in children born to obese mothers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown associations between maternal obesity and cognitive outcomes in children, suggesting that this study builds on established findings rather than exploring a completely novel area.

Where this research is happening

Little Rock, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.