Investigating how a chloride cotransporter affects fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
The chloride cotransporter NKCC1 in the embryonic etiology and treatment of FASD
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy can affect babies' brains and behavior, and it’s testing a medication that might help protect developing babies from these harmful effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10675600 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which cause lifelong neurobehavioral and cognitive issues in children. The study aims to explore the role of a specific chloride cotransporter, NKCC1, in disrupting chloride balance in embryonic neurons due to ethanol exposure. By testing a drug called bumetanide, the researchers hope to find a way to prevent or mitigate the harmful effects of alcohol on developing brains. This could lead to new treatment strategies for FASD that could be applied during pregnancy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who consume alcohol and are at risk of having children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with severe fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and are beyond the early developmental stages may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments that prevent or reduce the impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting chloride homeostasis in the context of FASD is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in understanding the effects of alcohol on fetal development.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Hermes H — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Hermes H
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.