Investigating how brain activity affects attention in young children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure

Attending to all children: Examining the role of alpha oscillations in attention in young children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure (AsCENd)

NIH-funded research Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-10871871

This study is looking at how young children's brains pay attention, especially comparing those who were exposed to alcohol before birth with those who weren't, to help understand attention challenges that can affect their learning and social skills.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLovelace Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Albuquerque, United States)
Project IDNIH-10871871 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines the neural mechanisms of attention in young children, particularly focusing on those with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and those without. By studying brain activity patterns, specifically alpha oscillations, the researchers aim to identify how these patterns relate to attention deficits that can impact academic and social success. The study involves children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly in New Mexico, to understand the broader implications of attention issues. The methodology includes measuring brain activity during rest and tasks to uncover the developmental aspects of attention.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include young children aged 0-11 years, particularly those with prenatal alcohol exposure or diagnosed attention deficits.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have attention-related challenges may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for attention deficits in children, improving their educational and social outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding attention mechanisms in adults, but this specific focus on young children and prenatal alcohol exposure is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Albuquerque, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.