Investigating how brain activity affects attention in young children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
Official title: Attending to all children: Examining the role of alpha oscillations in attention in young children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure (AsCENd)
Funded at Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-10871871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $761,552 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA029605-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young children aged 0-11 years, particularly those with prenatal alcohol exposure or diagnosed attention deficits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have attention-related challenges may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stephen, Julia Marie — Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Stephen, Julia Marie
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.