Investigating how maternal immune activation affects brain development in infants
Establishing Early Brain Signatures associated with Maternal Immune Activation Exposure
This study is looking at how a mother's immune system being activated during pregnancy might affect her baby's brain development and behavior, helping us understand if it could lead to mental health issues later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10755612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of maternal immune activation during pregnancy on the brain development of infants. By using advanced imaging techniques like MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the study aims to identify early brain changes and behavioral signs in children exposed to maternal immune activation. The goal is to understand how these changes may contribute to the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. Participants will be monitored from the fetal stage through infancy to track developmental trajectories.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include pregnant women and their infants, particularly those with a history of immune activation during pregnancy.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or whose infants are older than one year may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for children at risk of psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the effects of maternal immune activation on child development, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spann, Marisa N — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Spann, Marisa N
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 below.