# Methamphetamine use during pregnancy

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR · 2020 · $202,285

## Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse of women of childbearing age and those who are pregnant is an urgent 
public health concern. While the harmful effects of METH in adults are well described, there is only limited 
knowledge on the deleterious effects of METH use during pregnancy on maternal health and the 
developing child. The goal of this proposal is to investigate the effects of METH use during pregnancy and 
its consequences on maternal physiology, pregnancy success, offspring development and behavior using 
a translationally-relevant intravenous self-administration approach in which rat dams self-administer 
METH prior to and during pregnancy. 
We will test the hypothesis that METH self-administration before and throughout pregnancy will 1) 
profoundly affect the maternal cardiovascular system and maternal pup-directed behavior, as well as 
impair offspring development, affect offspring behavior and physiology. We will assess comprehensively 
overall health, blood pressure and heart rate in pregnant, METH self-administering females. In 
comparison to sham control dams, we hypothesize that METH self-administration of dams will lead to 
increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as impairments in offspring development and alteration 
in pup-directed maternal behavior. In addition, we hypothesize that METH-exposed offspring will 
demonstrate learning and memory deficits, increased anxiety-like behavior and altered physiology 
compared to controls. 
The results from the proposed studies will provide needed information regarding the effects of METH on 
the pregnant female physiology and behavior and on offspring development. 
Ultimately, our studies will lead to knowledge on the identification of treatment opportunities, especially 
pre-partum, to benefit outcomes for mothers and children.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10181571
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121334-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** DANIELA RUEDI-BETTSCHEN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $202,285
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10181571

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10181571, Methamphetamine use during pregnancy (5P20GM121334-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10181571. Licensed CC0.

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