Understanding how alcohol affects heart development in babies
Identifying and protecting alcohol-sensitive epigenetic changes in congenital heart disease
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy might affect babies' hearts and cause heart problems, and it aims to find ways to prevent these issues and improve treatment for families dealing with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914103 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the development of congenital heart disease in newborns. It aims to identify specific epigenetic changes that occur due to alcohol exposure and how these changes can lead to heart defects. The study utilizes advanced techniques such as mouse models and RNA-FISH to explore the underlying mechanisms of these conditions. By training a new investigator in this field, the project seeks to enhance our understanding of how to prevent and treat heart defects associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and young children diagnosed with congenital heart defects, particularly those with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure.
Not a fit: Patients without congenital heart defects or those not exposed to alcohol during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and treatments for congenital heart defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on various developmental outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Stephanie Marie — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Ford, Stephanie Marie
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.