Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11607120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a gentle brain therapy called trigeminal nerve stimulation to help children exposed to alcohol before birth who show ADHD-like symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $786,147 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AA031029-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children aged 0-11 with prenatal alcohol exposure who have ADHD-like symptoms and are able to participate in noninvasive brain stimulation procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Children with PAE who do not experience ADHD-like symptoms or cannot tolerate noninvasive brain stimulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
Many children with prenatal alcohol exposure struggle with inattention and hyperactivity similar to ADHD. This research will first test whether a noninvasive brain stimulation method, TNS, can be used safely and feasibly in these children. If feasible, the team will look for signs that TNS may reduce disruptive symptoms and improve attention and behavior. The study is conducted at UCLA/University of California, Los Angeles, and aims to open a path toward a new treatment option for PAE-related difficulties.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new, non-drug treatment to reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pediatric ADHD studies suggest TNS can be safe and effective, but this is the first systematic test in children with PAE, making the evidence for this exact group preliminary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neill, Joseph — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: O'neill, Joseph
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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.