Targeting developing brain blood vessels harmed by prenatal alcohol exposure
Molecular Targeting of the Cerebrovasculature During Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
This work will explore whether changing a small molecule called miR-150 in developing brain blood vessels can help protect babies exposed to alcohol before birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332795 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If a child in your family was exposed to alcohol before birth, researchers are looking at how the tiny blood vessels in the developing brain are affected. They use a validated mouse model of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and isolated brain microvascular endothelial cells to show that miR-150-5p is increased and linked to weaker blood-brain barrier and junction proteins. The team will manipulate this microRNA and related molecular pathways in cells and animals, then measure vessel growth, barrier integrity, and brain development with molecular assays and imaging. The aim is to identify vascular targets that could guide therapies to reduce cognitive and behavioral problems from prenatal alcohol exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure and their families would be the eventual candidates for related future treatments, although this grant's work is currently preclinical in a lab model.
Not a fit: People with neurodevelopmental problems from causes other than prenatal alcohol exposure or adults with established brain injuries are unlikely to benefit directly from this early-development work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect brain blood vessels and reduce developmental problems in children exposed to alcohol before birth.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies link microRNAs to blood-brain barrier and vascular development, but using microRNA-targeting as a therapy for prenatal alcohol effects remains largely unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gardiner, Amy S — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gardiner, Amy S
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.