Understanding how maternal diabetes affects heart development in infants
Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Maternal Diabetes Associated Cardiac Malformations
This study is looking at how a mother's diabetes during pregnancy might affect her baby's heart development, especially focusing on how high blood sugar can change the way genes work, and it's aimed at helping us better understand and prevent heart problems in newborns.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10462586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the link between maternal diabetes and congenital heart defects in infants. It focuses on how environmental factors, particularly high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, can alter genetic pathways that regulate heart development. Using animal models, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in this process, particularly the role of epigenetic changes in signaling pathways like Notch1 and nitric oxide. By identifying these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve our understanding of congenital heart disease and its prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with diabetes or those planning to conceive who are concerned about the risk of congenital heart defects in their infants.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or do not have diabetes may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies for congenital heart defects in infants born to mothers with diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding genetic contributions to congenital heart defects, but this specific focus on maternal diabetes and epigenetic mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garg, Vidu — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Garg, Vidu
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.