# Fetal Brain Development in Congenital Heart Disease

> **NIH NIH K23** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $190,420

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Congenital heart disease is among the most common birth defects, affecting 1-2% of all live births. While
surgical advances have dramatically improved survival, many patients face life-long neurological sequelae that
substantially reduce quality of life. While postnatal medical factors may influence neurological outcome, recent
fetal MRI data suggest that abnormal brain development begins in utero. Furthermore, cerebral maturity at
birth predicts neurodevelopmental outcome. In utero neuroprotective therapies may reduce neurological
sequelae for patients with certain forms of congenital heart disease.
This proposal investigates factors influencing fetal brain development in congenital heart disease to give
insight into rational methods for fetal neuroprotection. The proposal will address three key gaps in current
knowledge: (1) the regional specificity and timing of onset of abnormal brain structure in congenital heart
disease; (2) the physiological mechanisms that lead to abnormal fetal brain development; and (3) the fetal
brain correlates of neurodevelopmental outcome. The study will employ innovative structural MRI techniques to
address these aims, harnessing cutting edge MRI processing tools to correct for fetal motion to address one of
the major limitations in fetal neuroimaging. Pregnant women will undergo fetal MRI twice during pregnancy,
and after birth children will undergo neurodevelopmental testing at two years of age. The findings from this
investigation will clarify mechanisms of abnormal brain development in congenital heart disease and inform
development of fetal therapies to mitigate the neurological effects of congenital heart disease.
This Mentored Patient-Oriented Career Development Award application aligns with the goals of the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, as it will clarify abnormal brain development in this population
and shed light on potential strategies to protect the brain. The proposal is also designed to provide important
opportunities for training and career development to enable the candidate to become an independent
investigator addressing neuroprotection in congenital heart disease. Dr. Rollins has experience in using
neuroimaging tools to understand abnormalities in brain structure in congenital heart disease, and with this
award, she will gain training in: (1) clinical epidemiology through a formal MPH curriculum; (2) clinical trial
methods; and (3) advanced MRI techniques through practical laboratory exposure. She will benefit from an
enormously rich cardioneurology and neuroimaging training environment, where she will develop skills in
applying novel neuroimaging techniques to answer neurobiological questions. Ultimately, this research
proposal and the accompanying training will provide a strong foundation for a successful independent research
career devoted to minimizing the neurological sequelae of congenital heart disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9843535
- **Project number:** 5K23NS101120-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Caitlin Rollins
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $190,420
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9843535

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9843535, Fetal Brain Development in Congenital Heart Disease (5K23NS101120-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9843535. Licensed CC0.

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