# Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Adults:  Health and Neurobehavior

> **NIH NIH U01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $160,710

## Abstract

Abstract
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may have
a prevalence of up to 5% in the population (May, et al. 2014); however, it is rarely diagnosed in
adulthood and there are no recognized treatment protocols because, despite decades of
research on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), scientific study of adults with FASD
is almost unknown. This lack of accurate information is devastating for these individuals, their
families and a source of frustration for professionals who encounter affected individuals.
Although neurodevelopmental deficits may be persistent, without accurate information about
mental and physical health problems associated with PAE, caregivers, health care professionals
and policy makers cannot make informed decisions, diagnose accurately, provide care or
allocate resources. Supported by the resources provided by CIFASD, the current project is
uniquely qualified to address this deficit and carry out the following Specific Aims: 1) Establish a
registry of 500 individuals, older than 30 years of age, with known alcohol exposure/FASD
diagnosis or who are matched controls who will respond to a health survey, and who will be
available for future studies; 2) in affected individuals (FAS or FASD) and controls (120 from
Atlanta and 120 from Seattle), to evaluate in depth current status in areas supporting adults
physical and social functioning with the goal of refining diagnostic criteria for FASD in this age
group and determining the persistence and severity of disability associated with PAE. This
activity will include examination of dysmorphology, abstraction of medical records, substance
use (self-report and biological samples), cognition and mental health as well as social factors
that might contribute to outcomes and disability status. Finally, 3) to assess immune status (in
collaboration with Dr. Weinberg) and identify outcomes associated with health indicators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10166733
- **Project number:** 5U01AA026108-05
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Claire D. Coles
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $160,710
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10166733

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10166733, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Adults:  Health and Neurobehavior (5U01AA026108-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10166733. Licensed CC0.

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