Investigating how prenatal alcohol exposure affects DNA and mental health
Official title: Sensitive periods for prenatal alcohol exposure: a longitudinal study of DNA methylation and subsequent mental health
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10811607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy might change a child's DNA and affect their mental health as they grow up, especially the risk of depression in kids aged 4 to 16.5 years, to help us understand how these changes happen and how we can better support affected families.
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 | March 20, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $241,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030640-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10811607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have been exposed to alcohol in utero.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on DNA methylation and its subsequent effects on mental health during childhood and adolescence. By analyzing data from a longitudinal study, researchers will explore how the timing of alcohol exposure during pregnancy influences DNA changes and the risk of developing depression in children aged 4 to 16.5 years. The study aims to provide insights into the biological mechanisms linking prenatal alcohol exposure to mental health outcomes, potentially guiding future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for mental health issues associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of prenatal exposures on mental health, but this specific approach focusing on DNA methylation and timing is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lussier, Alexandre a — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lussier, Alexandre a
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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.