Using choline supplements during pregnancy to reduce cannabis effects on brain development.
Official title: Clinical Trial of Maternal Choline Supplements to Mitigate Effects of Prenatal Cannabis Exposure on Early Brain Development.
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11078737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving pregnant women who use cannabis a special supplement can help protect their baby's brain development and behavior, and it involves 120 moms-to-be who will either get the supplement or a fake pill to see how it affects their child's attention and growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $676,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058641-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who are using cannabis and are interested in nutritional supplementation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not use cannabis during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether maternal supplementation with phosphatidylcholine can help mitigate the negative effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on fetal brain development and child behavior. The study will involve a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 120 pregnant women who use cannabis. Participants will receive either the choline supplement or a placebo to assess its impact on brain development and attention in their children. The research aims to provide insights into how nutritional interventions can support healthy brain development in children exposed to cannabis in utero.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved developmental outcomes for children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary observational studies have suggested that higher maternal choline levels may improve fetal brain development, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Sharon K — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Sharon K
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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.