Multimodal fetal and placental imaging to predict outcomes in infants exposed to opioids
Official title: Multimodal Fetal and Placental Imaging and Biomarkers of Clinical Outcomes in Opioid Use Disorder
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11518816 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses brain and placenta imaging plus biomarkers to understand how prenatal opioid exposure affects babies and how to predict and improve outcomes for infants born to mothers with opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,098,145 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DA059321-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518816 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals with opioid use disorder and their infants, followed from mid-pregnancy through infancy.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnancies without opioid exposure or without consent/participation are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine fetal MRI, placental imaging, and biomarker analyses to identify early signs that predict neonatal withdrawal and long-term neurodevelopment in infants exposed to opioids before birth. The study builds on prior findings that brain connectivity, cerebellar size, and placental characteristics relate to NOWS severity and later outcomes. By following pregnancies from the second trimester through early infancy, the team aims to link imaging and molecular signals with clinical trajectories. The goal is to create early prediction tools and potential intervention targets to reduce NOWS impact and improve child development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier prediction and better management of NOWS, potentially reducing severity and improving long-term neurodevelopment for affected children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show imaging and biomarker signals associated with NOWS; this project extends those findings with integrated fetal-placental approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Radhakrishnan, Rupa — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Radhakrishnan, Rupa
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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.