Investigating how lead poisoning affects thyroid hormone's role in brain development.
Official title: Does lead (Pb) poisoning impair brain development by affecting how thyroid hormone gets into the brain?
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11075195 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how lead poisoning affects brain development in children by using tadpoles to see how lead messes with important hormones that help the brain grow, hoping to find ways to prevent problems caused by lead exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $320,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES035813-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075195 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been exposed to lead and may be experiencing developmental issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to lead or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of lead (Pb) poisoning on brain development in children, focusing on how Pb disrupts the distribution of thyroid hormones (TH) in the brain. The study uses Xenopus laevis tadpoles as a model to understand the mechanisms by which Pb impairs TH distributor proteins in the choroid plexus, which are crucial for brain development. By examining these processes, the research aims to uncover the links between Pb exposure and cognitive deficits in children, providing insights into the underlying biological mechanisms. The findings could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for Pb-related developmental issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing cognitive deficits in children exposed to lead.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that lead exposure negatively impacts cognitive development, but this specific approach to understanding thyroid hormone distribution is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Christopher Kirk — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Christopher Kirk
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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.