Preventing neural tube defects by targeting Wnt signaling and maternal treatments
Integrated Wnt Signaling and Maternal Intervention of Neural Tube Defects
This research looks at how Wnt signaling and maternal interventions might stop neural tube defects like spina bifida in babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Somerville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team uses genetically modified mouse models to study how the Wnt signaling pathway controls closure of the neural tube during early development. They examine how changes in specific Wnt-related genes lead to defects like spina bifida and test maternal interventions that could fix or reduce those problems in animal models. The goal is to find biological targets and maternal treatments that could be translated into ways to prevent neural tube defects in human pregnancies. Results would guide future clinical studies and possible prevention strategies for pregnancies that do not respond to folic acid alone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant people or those planning pregnancy who have a prior pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect or known genetic risk factors would be the most relevant group for future human trials informed by this work.
Not a fit: People whose neural tube defects arise from causes unrelated to Wnt signaling or those past the early prenatal window when closure occurs would be unlikely to benefit directly from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new prevention approaches for spina bifida and other neural tube defects, including options for pregnancies that are resistant to folic acid.
How similar studies have performed: Animal research has previously linked Wnt/PCP signaling to neural tube defects and shown positive results in mice, but translating those findings into proven human prevention methods remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Somerville, UNITED STATES
- Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. — Somerville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Chengji — Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Chengji
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.