Improved FASD screening for kids using BRAIN-online in Spanish
Official title: Improving diagnostic screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) by broadening the reach of BRAIN-online
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11341106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A web-based, Spanish-enabled screening tool helps identify signs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children to guide further evaluation and support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,083 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033052-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11341106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years who are at risk for FASD or who have developmental or behavioral concerns, and Spanish-speaking families in need of accessible screening.
✕Less likely to help
Children without FASD risk or those who do not complete the screening may not receive direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project aims to expand access to a digital screening tool called BRAIN-online that assesses cognitive and behavioral features linked to FASD. It translates the tool into Spanish to reach more families and clinicians. By pinpointing which children may need an in-depth evaluation, it could streamline referrals and reduce barriers like cost and time. The approach centers on remote screening to improve early identification and resource planning for affected kids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more children at risk for FASD could be identified earlier, enabling timely assessments and interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence supports web-based screening can help prioritize evaluations, but large-scale validation in diverse populations is ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mattson Weller, Sarah N — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Mattson Weller, Sarah N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cellular mechanisms shaping fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
This NIH grant studies how alcohol exposure before birth damages development at the cellular level, with potential to improve understanding and care for individuals affected by FASD.
-
Web tools to screen children for effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
This project uses online tools to check children ages 6–17 for physical, thinking, and behavior signs linked to prenatal alcohol exposure.
-
Choline Genetics and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Children
This study looks at how genetic differences in choline metabolism affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who may benefit from choline supplementation.
-
Data coordination for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research
A national collaboration coordinates data and sharing to help understand and improve care for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
-
How prenatal alcohol exposure harms hearing development
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes the brain cells that help process sound in mice, to better understand hearing problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
-
Prenatal Alcohol Gene-by-Exposure study: how maternal and child genetics influence FASD
A big study will look at genes in mothers and their children to understand why some babies exposed to alcohol before birth develop FASD and others don’t.
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.