Investigating how organophosphorus pesticides affect brain development
Official title: Comparative mechanistic study of developmental neurotoxicity of organophosphorus pesticides
Funded at Swarthmore College · NIH-10653649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how long-term exposure to certain insecticides, called organophosphorus pesticides, might harm brain development and behavior in babies and young children, so we can better understand the risks and help keep families safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Swarthmore College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Swarthmore, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $394,942 |
| NIH project number | 2R15ES031354-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10653649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women and infants who may be exposed to organophosphorus pesticides.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or infants, and those not exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the potential neurological damage caused by organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), which are widely used insecticides. It aims to explore how chronic exposure to these chemicals, even at legal levels, may lead to long-term behavioral disorders and brain development issues in humans, particularly during prenatal and infant stages. The study employs high-throughput screening methods using non-mammalian organisms to efficiently assess the toxicity mechanisms of individual OPs and their mixtures. By identifying the pathways affected by these pesticides, the research seeks to clarify the risks associated with their use and inform safety regulations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety regulations for pesticide use, ultimately protecting vulnerable populations from neurological harm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential risks associated with organophosphorus pesticide exposure, but this approach of using high-throughput screening in non-mammalian models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz — Swarthmore College
- Study coordinator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz
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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.