Pregnancy head injuries and baby brain development
Gravida traumatic brain injury (TBI) impacts neurodevelopment of the offspring
This project looks at whether head injuries during pregnancy can change how a baby's brain develops.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11368114 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory models to mimic head injuries that occur during pregnancy and then track the offspring's growth, behavior, brain circuits, and immune responses. They will change the timing of the injury during pregnancy to see when the fetus is most vulnerable. The team will combine behavioral testing with cellular and molecular studies to find changes in neurons and synapses that might explain altered behavior. Because these experiments cannot be done in people for ethical reasons, the animal data will be used to determine whether maternal TBI should be considered a risk factor for developmental disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to pregnant people who experienced head trauma (including survivors of intimate partner violence) and to parents of young children with unexplained developmental or behavioral problems.
Not a fit: People without a history of head injury during pregnancy or whose medical concerns are unrelated to neurodevelopment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify maternal head injury as a preventable risk factor and guide earlier screening or interventions for children exposed in utero.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior animal studies, including the team's preliminary data showing altered offspring brain circuits and behavior, support this approach, but the area is still relatively new and not confirmed in humans.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lifshitz, Jonathan — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Lifshitz, Jonathan
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 below.