Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), under the Alcohol Research Programs (CFDA 93.273), awarded a $648,180 Project Grant to Children's Research Institute effective June 20, 2026, with completion expected by April 30, 2031. This research initiative investigates the mechanisms underlying neurocognitive deficits in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), with a focus on apolipoprotein E (APOE) signaling in the motor cortex as a potential therapeutic target. The project addresses a critical gap in understanding FASD-related impairments in motor skill development and their connection to cognitive deficits, which significantly impact daily functioning in affected individuals.

The deliverables encompass three complementary research objectives: defining how PAE-induced changes in chromatin accessibility alter gene expression patterns; elucidating the mechanisms by which reduced APOE levels contribute to learning deficits in PAE-exposed mice; and evaluating the therapeutic potential of APOE receptor agonist (APOE-RA) treatment for FASD. Building on preliminary findings demonstrating that APOE-RA ameliorates PAE-related behavioral abnormalities and supported by human genome-wide association studies linking PAE-SNP interactions in the APOE gene enhancer to cognitive impairments, this research will define epigenetic mechanisms in FASD pathogenesis and establish the preclinical foundation for developing effective pharmacological interventions to treat this prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.