Investigating brain damage and treatment options for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Hippocampal-thalamo-prefrontal circuitry damage and therapeutic intervention in a model of FASD
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy can change the brain's wiring in ways that affect thinking and memory, and it’s testing whether exercise and a stimulating environment can help fix some of those changes, using rats to learn more about it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10686884 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how prenatal alcohol exposure affects brain circuitry, particularly in areas critical for cognitive functions like executive functioning and working memory. It examines the structural changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as the thalamic nucleus that connects these regions. The study uses a rat model to explore the impact of binge alcohol exposure during pregnancy and tests a therapeutic approach involving physical activity and enriched environments to potentially reverse some of the damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or those who have been exposed to alcohol in utero.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies to improve cognitive functioning in individuals affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using environmental enrichment and physical activity as therapeutic interventions for cognitive deficits related to brain damage, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Klintsova, Anna Y — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Klintsova, Anna Y
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.