Prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal development mechanisms
Official title: Project 2: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Funded at North Carolina Central University · NIH-11416833 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how alcohol exposure before birth causes limb and brain defects, using zebrafish and mouse models to find new pathways and potential treatments that could reduce FASD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Central University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $198,977 |
| NIH project number | 5U54AA030451-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416833 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for FASD or their families, including patients interested in future therapeutic avenues or participating in related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not directly benefit if findings do not translate to clinical therapies or if ethanol exposure occurs outside studied windows.
What this research studies
This project uses zebrafish and mice to identify genes and chemical compounds that influence how alcohol affects developing limbs and organs. It combines genetic knockout approaches with high-throughput screening of chemical libraries to pinpoint factors that rescue or worsen ethanol-induced defects. By focusing on the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and related gene sets, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could inform future prevention or intervention strategies for FASD. The work integrates cell systems with whole-animal models to translate basic findings into clinically meaningful insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new targets or compounds that reduce the severity of FASD in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that Shh signaling and related pathways are linked to ethanol teratogenesis and that animal models can reveal modifier genes.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Central University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Kevin Peter — North Carolina Central University
- Study coordinator: Williams, Kevin Peter
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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.