Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Conditions
Official title: Cellular Mechanisms in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11199004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how alcohol exposure during pregnancy affects developing cells, aiming to better understand Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
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 | December 15, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $625,123 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA026068-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11199004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this work may seek individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or those at risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by or at risk for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We know that alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause birth defects and brain problems, but we don't fully understand how it happens at a cellular level. This project looks beyond cell death to investigate other ways alcohol might harm development, specifically focusing on tiny, hair-like cell parts called primary cilia. These cilia are crucial for normal development, and our previous work suggests that alcohol can temporarily disrupt their function. By using various tools, we aim to uncover the exact cellular processes by which alcohol impacts these important cell structures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, potentially guiding the development of new ways to prevent or treat these conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work, including from this lab, has shown that cell death is associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, and recent findings suggest primary cilia disruption is another important factor.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parnell, Scott — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Parnell, Scott
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.