Investigating the role of calprotectin in autism development due to maternal immune activation
Official title: Roles of Calprotectin in a mouse model of maternal immune activation
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10749043 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how infections during pregnancy might be connected to autism in children by using mice to see how a protein called calprotectin, which is linked to inflammation, affects brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD107388-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10749043 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those with a known maternal history of infections during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by autism spectrum disorder or do not have a maternal history of immune activation during pregnancy may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how maternal infections during pregnancy may lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring by studying a mouse model. The focus is on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved, particularly the role of calprotectin, a protein associated with inflammation. Researchers will measure calprotectin levels in cerebrospinal fluid and examine its effects on neural progenitor cells in the fetal brain. This work aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets for ASD by linking maternal immune responses to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating autism spectrum disorder in children.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the link between maternal immune activation and neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coscoy, Laurent — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Coscoy, Laurent
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.