Using trigeminal nerve stimulation to help children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure
Official title: Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10872957 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a gentle treatment called trigeminal nerve stimulation can help kids who have behavioral challenges from prenatal alcohol exposure, especially since regular ADHD medications often don’t work for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $265,510 |
| NIH project number | 1R61AA031029-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872957 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with behavioral symptoms related to prenatal alcohol exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have prenatal alcohol exposure or those whose symptoms are not related to this condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) as a potential treatment for children who have been affected by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). PAE can lead to severe behavioral symptoms similar to those seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and traditional stimulant medications often do not work for these children. The study will assess the feasibility of TNS, a noninvasive and FDA-cleared therapy, to see if it can help alleviate symptoms of PAE. The initial phase will focus on compliance with the TNS procedure, any side effects, and preliminary indications of symptom relief.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for children suffering from the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that trigeminal nerve stimulation can be effective in treating pediatric ADHD, suggesting potential for success in this novel application for PAE.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neill, Joseph — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: O'neill, Joseph
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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.