Testing chemicals for their effects on brain development using planarians
Official title: Planarian behavioral screening of ToxCast Phase I chemicals to determine context of use
Funded at Swarthmore College · NIH-11056934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in the environment might affect brain development in young people by testing them on planarians, a type of flatworm, to see how these chemicals impact their behavior and brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Swarthmore College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Swarthmore, United States) |
| Project start | December 19, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $356,178 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES036332-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals concerned about chemical exposure and its effects on brain health, particularly in children and young adults.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by environmental chemical exposure or who do not have concerns about neurodevelopmental issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new method for screening environmental chemicals that may harm brain development, particularly in young individuals. By using a type of flatworm called planarians, researchers will assess how these chemicals affect behavior and brain function. The study will utilize a library of 293 chemicals to identify potential neurotoxic effects, comparing the results with existing data from other models. This approach seeks to provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional mammalian testing methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of harmful chemicals, ultimately protecting brain development in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using alternative organisms for toxicity screening, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz — Swarthmore College
- Study coordinator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz
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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.