Investigating how maternal infections and stress affect brain development in offspring
Official title: Defining the Neuro-Immune and Placental Profile of a Dual-Hit Toll-like Receptor 7 and Stressor Mouse Model
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10985777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how infections during pregnancy might affect a child's brain development and behavior later on, focusing on how the mother's immune response could make the child more sensitive to stress in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $245,475 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135128-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10985777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include pregnant individuals with a history of infections or stress-related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those without a history of maternal infections or stressors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of maternal infections during pregnancy on the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in children. It focuses on how immune responses triggered by infections can prime the immune system, making it more susceptible to later stressors. Using a mouse model, the study examines the effects of activating a specific immune receptor (TLR7) during pregnancy and how this influences the behavior and brain development of offspring. The findings aim to enhance our understanding of the links between maternal health and child neurodevelopment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing neurodevelopmental disorders in children by addressing maternal health during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that maternal immune activation can significantly impact offspring development, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bordt, Evan Andrew — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bordt, Evan Andrew
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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.