Paternal exposures and sperm epigenetics linked to autism in children
Official title: Paternal exposures, sperm epigenetic marks, and autism spectrum disorder in the offspring
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11520495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a father's environment and health before conception might influence autism risk in his children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,638 |
| NIH project number | 4R00ES035433-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are families with a child diagnosed with autism or children at risk, whose fathers have detailed exposure histories or biomarker data related to sperm health.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals without exposure histories or families not moving through the preconception window.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how a father’s exposures during sperm development, such as air pollution and health conditions, could be linked to autism in offspring. The study will analyze environmental and medical factors that may change sperm epigenetics and then relate these changes to autism outcomes in children. By examining pollutant exposures and related medications, the project aims to identify potential pathways that connect paternal preconception health to ASD risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform men about preconception health and environmental factors that may influence autism risk in their children.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked paternal age to ASD, with emerging evidence on sperm epigenetics; this project explores newer paternal exposome factors.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rotem, Ran — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Rotem, Ran
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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.