Understanding how opioids affect pregnancy and the placenta
Official title: Multimodal Analysis of Gestational Health and Placental Injury in Opioid-Affected Pregnancies
Funded at Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation · NIH-10750475 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using opioids during pregnancy affects both moms and their babies, especially how it impacts the placenta, which is important for the baby's growth, to help find safer ways to manage opioid use for pregnant people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $3,092,159 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA059176-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10750475 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals who are using opioids, whether prescribed or illicit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to opioids may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of opioid use during pregnancy on both maternal and fetal health, particularly focusing on how opioids impact placental development and function. The study aims to explore the mechanisms by which opioids, both illicit and prescribed, influence the placenta, which plays a crucial role in nutrient transfer and fetal development. By analyzing placental tissue and its response to opioids, the research seeks to uncover potential risks associated with opioid use in pregnant individuals and their babies. This comprehensive approach may lead to better management strategies for opioid use disorder during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for pregnant individuals and their infants affected by opioid use.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into opioid effects on infants, this specific focus on placental health in opioid-affected pregnancies is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouyang, Yingshi — Magee-Women's Res Inst and Foundation
- Study coordinator: Ouyang, Yingshi
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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.