Investigating how human milk feeding affects brain development in infants
Official title: Mechanistic investigation of human milk feeding on neurodevelopment: a comparative study using neonatal piglets and translatable biomarkers
Funded at University of Idaho · NIH-11126342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeding preterm babies human milk might help their brain development and overall health, using neonatal piglets to learn more about the benefits and how it works, with hopes of improving feeding recommendations for these little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Idaho NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Moscow, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $239,399 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HD113572-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126342 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants who are at risk for neurodevelopmental delays.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are full-term infants or those who do not have any risk factors for neurodevelopmental issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of human milk feeding on the neurodevelopment of infants, particularly focusing on preterm babies who are at risk for developmental delays. By using neonatal piglets as a model, the study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms through which human milk may improve brain health and cognitive outcomes. The researchers will examine how early feeding influences inflammation and gut health, and they will validate biomarkers that could be used in human clinical settings. The findings could lead to improved feeding guidelines for preterm infants to enhance their developmental prospects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better feeding practices that significantly improve neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the benefits of human milk on infant development, but this specific approach using neonatal piglets and biomarkers is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Idaho
Moscow, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yimin — University of Idaho
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yimin
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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.