# Physical and Neurocognitive Outcomes Among Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Outcomes (FASD): The Contribution of Maternal Nutrition and Nutrigenetic Risk Factors

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $81,256

## Abstract

Project Abstract/Summary
 The goal of this proposed F32 postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the applicant with a
multi-disciplinary training experience in genetic epidemiology and nutrigenetics analysis. The
applicant will engage in advanced scholarly activities to understand genetic and nutrigenetic
influences on the susceptibility to, and severity of, developmental delays and traits that the
constitute fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) continuum. The overarching aim of this
application is to characterize the effect of maternal nutrition, maternal and child genetic
predisposition, and maternal diet-by-genetic interaction as it relates to the child's physical
dysmorphology, neurodevelopmental abilities, and FASD diagnosis. This application capitalizes
on previously collected biological samples (circulating plasma concentrations) and genetic data
from pregnant women in the Western Cape Province of South Africa whose offspring have been
followed since birth with standardized dysmorphology and neurodevelopmental assessments.
This project will (1) determine whether maternal nutrient status mediates the relationship
between alcohol exposure and child growth, dysmorphology, and neurocognitive outcomes; (2)
develop a polygenic risk score associated with FASD diagnosis; and (3) determine whether
there is a choline-related diet-by-gene interaction which partially explains the susceptibility and
severity of an FASD diagnosis. Key components of the training plan include advanced
instruction in genetic epidemiology and nutrigenomic theory and applied statistical analysis.
Specific skills to be mastered during this fellowship include: (1) quantitative analytic skills in the
genetics of complex diseases; (2) advanced training in nutrigenetics data analysis; and (3)
enhancement of leadership and grantsmanship skills. The proposed fellowship will enable these
goals through carefully selected coursework, research experiences, seminars, and workshops.
Collectively, these will provide an unparalleled opportunity to gain the advanced skills before
applying the methods and techniques to important, yet largely unanswered questions about the
etiology of FASD. This application provides a rich training environment to carry out the research
plan. The proposed research plan will facilitate the applicant's transition into an independent
investigator by establish the applicant's expertise in genetics and nutrigenetic analysis and
applying this expertise to determining nutritional, genetic, nutrigenetic influences on the
susceptibility and severity of an FASD diagnosis, an area of research remains vastly
uncharacterized within the field of FASD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848372
- **Project number:** 5F32AA030495-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Julie Hasken
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $81,256
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848372

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848372, Physical and Neurocognitive Outcomes Among Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Outcomes (FASD): The Contribution of Maternal Nutrition and Nutrigenetic Risk Factors (5F32AA030495-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848372. Licensed CC0.

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