Investigating the effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on offspring behavior and neurologic health
Official title: Utilizing a novel hamster model to determine neurologic and behavioral abnormalities of offspring from mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11022676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting COVID-19 while pregnant might affect the brain and behavior of children later on, using hamsters to help us understand what could happen to babies born to moms who had the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $240,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS140036-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11022676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include children aged 0-11 years who were born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or were not born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore how infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy may affect the neurologic and behavioral development of children. Using a hamster model that closely mimics human responses to the virus, the study will investigate potential long-term impacts on offspring born to infected mothers. By employing advanced techniques in virology and molecular biology, researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms behind any observed abnormalities. This work is crucial for understanding the broader implications of COVID-19 on future generations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of neurologic and behavioral issues in children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: While the hamster model has been successfully used in other COVID-19 related research, the specific investigation of maternal infection effects on offspring behavior is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plante, Kenneth Steven — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Plante, Kenneth Steven
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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.