Investigating the health risks of certain environmental chemicals on brain development in children
Official title: Defining the neurotoxic and neurodevelopmental health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11048311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to certain environmental chemicals called PFAS might affect brain development and behavior in children, especially in relation to conditions like autism and ADHD, using zebrafish to help understand the potential risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2025 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $546,350 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES036199-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who may have been exposed to PFAS through environmental sources.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or have no known exposure to PFAS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), common environmental pollutants, affects brain development and function in children. The study will analyze how these chemicals interact with specific proteins in the body and their potential links to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using models like zebrafish, researchers will explore the mechanisms of PFAS uptake and its long-term effects on learning and behavior. The goal is to clarify the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, particularly during critical developmental periods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders linked to environmental toxins.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown varying results regarding the impact of PFAS on neurodevelopment, indicating that this area of research is both relevant and necessary for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atilla-Gokcumen, Gunes Ekin — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Atilla-Gokcumen, Gunes Ekin
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.