Vinpocetine for effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
Vinpocetine Mediation of Prior Fetal Alcohol Exposure
This project looks at whether higher doses of vinpocetine can help people with thinking, learning, or memory problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11197612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use animal models of fetal alcohol exposure to map how different vinpocetine doses affect brain plasticity and behavior. They will measure blood levels and create dose–response curves to identify the drug concentrations that produced benefit in animals. Because common human doses produce much lower blood levels than in animals, the team will test higher doses to see what blood concentrations are needed and whether those doses are tolerated. Findings will guide whether and how vinpocetine could move into human safety and effectiveness testing for people with FASD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People of any age with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure and ongoing cognitive, learning, or memory difficulties would be the likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems come from causes other than prenatal alcohol exposure, or who cannot safely take higher doses of vinpocetine, are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a medicine that improves learning, memory, and daily functioning for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Multiple animal studies across FASD models have shown vinpocetine can improve neuronal plasticity, but human evidence is limited and higher-dose effects in people have not been tested.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meador, Kimford J — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Meador, Kimford J
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.