Understanding the effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy and adolescence
Official title: Modeling alcohol exposure in gestation and adolescence
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11043236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy and teenage years can affect brain development and behavior, using rodent models to better understand the potential long-term effects on people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 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 | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $77,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AA031378-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or their own adolescent years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or adolescence may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how alcohol exposure during both pregnancy and adolescence affects cognitive development and behavior. By using rodent models, the study aims to create a 'double-hit' model that simulates the effects of prenatal and adolescent alcohol exposure. Researchers will explore the underlying mechanisms, such as the loss of critical cholinergic neurons and neuroinflammation, that may worsen cognitive outcomes. The findings could provide insights into the cycle of alcohol use and its long-term impacts on individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for alcohol-related cognitive impairments in adolescents and adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that prenatal and adolescent alcohol exposure can have significant negative effects on cognitive development, indicating that this approach is based on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mooney, Sandra M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Mooney, Sandra M
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.