Understanding Choline and Genetics in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Official title: Choline-Related Polymorphisms in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11167740 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a nutrient called choline, along with a child's genes, might help improve brain development in children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $470,893 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031262-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167740 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for children aged 0-11 years who have been exposed to alcohol before birth and are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced prenatal alcohol exposure or do not have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), causing learning and behavioral challenges. Choline, an important nutrient for brain development, has shown promise in helping children with FASD. However, its benefits can vary, and we believe that differences in a child's genes might explain why some children respond better to choline than others. This project aims to identify specific genetic differences that influence how choline affects brain function and behavior in children with FASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized choline treatments, helping doctors recommend the right amount of choline for each child with FASD based on their genetic makeup.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings suggest that certain genetic differences are linked to how well children with prenatal alcohol exposure respond to choline supplements, indicating a promising direction for this work.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Susan M. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Smith, Susan M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cellular mechanisms shaping fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
This NIH grant studies how alcohol exposure before birth damages development at the cellular level, with potential to improve understanding and care for individuals affected by FASD.
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Web tools to screen children for effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
This project uses online tools to check children ages 6–17 for physical, thinking, and behavior signs linked to prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Choline Genetics and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Children
This study looks at how genetic differences in choline metabolism affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who may benefit from choline supplementation.
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Data coordination for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research
A national collaboration coordinates data and sharing to help understand and improve care for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
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Improved FASD screening for kids using BRAIN-online in Spanish
A web-based, Spanish-enabled screening tool helps identify signs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children to guide further evaluation and support.
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How prenatal alcohol exposure harms hearing development
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes the brain cells that help process sound in mice, to better understand hearing problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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.