Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University received a $639,857 Project Grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865), awarded June 1, 2026, with completion anticipated February 28, 2031. The award supports a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research study examining the maternal obesity-placenta-brain axis from gestation through infancy. The study will recruit 400 pregnant participants (200 with body mass index ≥30 and 200 with body mass index 18.5-30) from Emory's obstetric network in Atlanta to undergo three MRI assessments: during the second trimester (24-28 weeks, n=300), third trimester (32-36 weeks, n=240), and neonatal period (1-2 months, n=210 expected completions).

The research addresses a significant public health gap by investigating how pre-pregnancy obesity affects placental function and perinatal neurodevelopment in offspring, with implications for reducing psychiatric disorder risk. By conducting integrated longitudinal assessments across multiple developmental periods rather than examining placental and brain parameters in isolation, this study will provide evidence to support timely intervention strategies for managing maternal obesity and its neurodevelopmental consequences in high-risk populations, particularly in Atlanta, a region with elevated maternal obesity prevalence nationally.