Impact of maternal sleep apnea on fetal brain development

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates how episodes of low oxygen levels caused by maternal sleep apnea affect the development of the fetal brain, particularly focusing on the hippocampus, which is crucial for learning and memory. Using a novel model, the study will monitor fetal brain oxygen levels and assess how these conditions lead to cell death and inflammation in the brain. The researchers will also explore how these disruptions affect the maturation of important neural connections and the overall function of the brain during development.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Oregon Health & Science University
  Portland, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Back, Stephen Arthur — Oregon Health & Science University
• Study coordinator: Back, Stephen Arthur

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11345200

• Intermittent hypoxia as a therapy to help sleep apnea and related health problems

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  NIH research John D Dingell VA Medical Center · Detroit, United States · NIH-11252536

• How low oxygen from a mother's sleep apnea may affect a baby's brain before birth

  Researchers are using a sheep model to learn how brief drops in oxygen during a mother's sleep apnea can change a baby's brain before birth.

  NIH research Oregon Health & Science University · Portland, United States · NIH-11245749

• Investigating how obstructive sleep apnea affects insulin resistance due to low oxygen levels.

  This study is looking at how obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects insulin resistance, especially in people who have low oxygen levels while they sleep, to see how this might lead to issues like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. If you have OSA, this research could help us understand how your sleep condition imp

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-10693797

• Using mild oxygen deprivation to improve sleep apnea treatment

  This study is looking at how a gentle form of low oxygen can help make CPAP therapy for sleep apnea work better by strengthening the muscles in your throat, and it also hopes to find out if this approach can improve heart health and overall well-being for people with sleep apnea.

  NIH research Wayne State University · Detroit, United States · NIH-10445039

• Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain

  This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-9960958

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.