Investigating the effects of alcohol and nicotine exposure during pregnancy on fetal development
Official title: Effects of Developmental Alcohol and Nicotine E-Cigarette Co-Exposure on Physiological Measures and Behavioral Development
Funded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10875785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol and using e-cigarettes during pregnancy might affect the development and behavior of babies, using mice to help understand the risks for expecting parents.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Chester University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Chester, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $375,210 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AA031576-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who use or have used alcohol and nicotine, particularly through e-cigarettes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use alcohol or nicotine during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how exposure to alcohol and nicotine, particularly through e-cigarettes, affects fetal development and later behavior. Using a mouse model, the study will examine the combined effects of these substances during critical brain development periods. Researchers will analyze changes in drug metabolism, gut microbiome, and gene expression, as well as behavioral outcomes in offspring. The goal is to better understand the risks associated with co-exposure to these substances during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines and interventions for pregnant individuals to minimize risks associated with substance use.
How similar studies have gone: While the effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy are well-documented, the specific co-exposure to nicotine via e-cigarettes is a relatively novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Breit, Kristen Rian — West Chester University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Breit, Kristen Rian
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.