Improving women's health by targeting liver disease during pregnancy
Official title: Targeting Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease during the reproductive period to improve women's health outcomes
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10858545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pregnancy can affect liver health in women, especially those at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more serious form, and it aims to find early signs of these conditions through simple tests during pregnancy to help improve health for moms and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $707,389 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK139189-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10858545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those with a higher risk of developing NAFLD, such as those with a history of obesity or gestational diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those without risk factors for NAFLD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which are significant health concerns for women, particularly during their reproductive years. The study aims to identify women at risk for these conditions through non-invasive testing during pregnancy, a time when many women engage with healthcare services. By screening pregnant individuals, the research seeks to uncover early signs of NAFLD and understand how pregnancy-related metabolic changes may affect liver health. The findings could lead to better management and treatment strategies for women with NAFLD, ultimately improving their health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of liver disease in women, significantly improving their long-term health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have successfully identified at-risk populations for NAFLD using similar screening methods, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kushner, Tatyana — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Kushner, Tatyana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting fatty liver disease in women around pregnancy to improve health
This grant explores how to identify and help pregnant and postpartum women who are at risk for fatty liver disease to prevent liver problems later.
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Clinically meaningful research on fatty liver disease in adults and children
A nationwide effort studying MASLD, the major form of fatty liver disease, to find better ways to identify who is at risk and how to treat it, including kids and adults.
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NAFLD in PCOS: Do androgens drive liver injury and fatty liver progression?
Young women with PCOS may face liver disease progression due to high androgen levels, and this research looks at targeted ways to slow or prevent that progression.
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Ultrasound tests to find and track fatty liver in children
This project develops easy-to-use ultrasound methods to find and monitor liver fat in children who are overweight or obese.
-
How genes and heavy metals influence fatty liver disease
This project looks at how a person’s genes and the amounts of metals in their liver together relate to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Gm4951 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the Gm4951 gene affect how much fat builds up in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
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.