Vulnerability and persistence of neuroinflammation and behavioral changes from developmental cannabinoid exposure
Official title: Vulnerability and Persistence of Neuroinflammation and Behavioral Deficits from Developmental Cannabinoid Exposure
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11332703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how exposure to cannabis components during development can cause lasting changes in brain inflammation and behavior, potentially affecting people from pregnancy through adulthood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $440,107 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057317-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals or families affected by or concerned about prenatal or adolescent cannabinoid exposure and its long-term effects on brain development and behavior.
✕Less likely to help
This grant’s findings may be more about understanding risks than offering direct treatment for a current patient, and not all exposed individuals will experience adverse outcomes.
What this research studies
In zebrafish studies, the project looks at how early exposure to THC and CBD may alter brain inflammatory signals and behavior later in life. The research aims to identify the most sensitive developmental windows, how dose and sex influence outcomes, and the molecular mechanisms behind persistent effects. It also compares the developmental toxicity of different cannabinoids commonly used by consumers. The work connects early-life exposure to potential long-term behavioral changes, with a focus on translating findings to human health implications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify risks of prenatal and adolescent cannabinoid exposure and inform safer use guidelines for pregnant individuals and youth.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in model systems show that early cannabinoid exposure can lead to lasting behavioral changes, supporting the potential relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Willett, Kristine L — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Willett, Kristine L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Science-based authentication, safety, and validation of botanical ingredients
This NIH grant focuses on making sure botanical ingredients used in dietary supplements are authentic, safe, and accurately labeled for consumers.
-
Glycopeptide Nanomaterials That Assemble at Disease Sites Triggered by Oxidative Signals
A new type of tiny, glycan-guided nanomaterial forms right at diseased tissue when exposed to disease-related reactive oxygen species, aiming to deliver drugs more precisely and safely.
-
High-precision glycan detectors using AI to spot disease-linked sugars
A grant to develop AI-guided, highly specific tools that detect disease-related glycans (áGal and NeuGc) in human samples to improve diagnostics and safe biologic therapies.
-
How brevican changes nerve cell excitability in the brain
A small NIH grant is exploring how a brain protein called brevican, and its sugar tags, affect nerve cell activity in a specific brain area tied to fear and stress.
-
Sulfated molecules in the back of the eye and how they shape myopia progression
This grant studies how losing certain building blocks in the eye’s outer layer may affect eye shape and the worsening of nearsightedness in pig eyes to model human disease.
-
Gene networks behind alcohol tolerance in fruit flies
A short, patient-friendly look at how brain signaling related to alcohol tolerance might be reversed or treated.
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.