Investigating how environmental chemicals may contribute to cerebral palsy.
Official title: Environmental Chemical Exposures and Biologic Markers for Cerebral Palsy (EXPOSE CP)
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11088703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in the environment might affect the brain development of babies and lead to cerebral palsy, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about what causes this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $696,835 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES034756-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and young children diagnosed with cerebral palsy or at risk of developing it due to environmental factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cerebral palsy or are not exposed to the identified environmental chemicals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the potential impact of environmental chemical exposures on the development of cerebral palsy (CP) in newborns. By analyzing prenatal environmental, hormonal, and metabolomic data, the study aims to identify specific neurotoxicants, such as certain pesticides and PFAS, that may disrupt fetal brain development. The research will utilize unique resources in California, including blood samples from a biobank and a statewide diagnostic system for CP, to explore the relationship between these exposures and the mechanisms leading to CP. This comprehensive approach seeks to uncover the unexplained causes of CP and improve our understanding of its etiology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and interventions for cerebral palsy by identifying harmful environmental exposures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in identifying environmental factors contributing to various health conditions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into cerebral palsy.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liew, Zeyan — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Liew, Zeyan
Related research
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This research looks at how hindfoot problems in adults with cerebral palsy behave over time after childhood surgeries and what factors influence their lasting function.
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Dynamic Brain Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait
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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.