Investigating the impact of maternal immune activation on cerebrospinal fluid volume in infants.
Official title: Does prenatal immune challenge result in increased extra-axial CSF volume?
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10816609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a mother's immune response during pregnancy might affect the amount of fluid around her baby's brain, which could help us understand the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $77,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HD111798-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10816609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who may be at risk of maternal immune activation and their infants.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose infants are not at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how maternal immune activation during pregnancy may influence the volume of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in infants, which is a potential indicator for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. By analyzing previously collected neuroimaging scans of young monkeys, the study aims to understand the relationship between prenatal inflammation and changes in CSF volume. The researchers will examine how inflammatory cytokines, which can cross the placenta, affect fetal brain development and CSF dynamics. This could provide insights into early biomarkers for neurodevelopmental issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early detection methods for neurodevelopmental disorders, allowing for timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated a link between maternal immune activation and neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vlasova, Roza — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Vlasova, Roza
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.