Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth
NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
About This Grant
SUMMARY Reliable tools for early prediction and effective treatments of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) are missing. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the subclinical pathobiology preceding sPTB. The long-term goal of this project is to integrate pathological, physiological, and psychological domains preceding sPTB to define mind- body crosstalk mechanisms that enable robust sPTB prediction and reveal potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The overall objective in this application is to establish neuroimmunoendocrine pathways as critical modulatory links between maternal mental state, immune imbalance, and sPTB. The central hypotheses are that (i) catecholaminergic (i.e., dopaminergic) signaling in maternal central and peripheral systems mitigates inflammation-induced parturition, supporting pregnancy maintenance, and that (ii) disruptions in neuroendocrine signaling may underlie an immune shift in the maternal circulation as well as at the maternal-placental interface promoting sPTB. The central hypotheses will be tested by pursuing three specific aims: 1) Determine whether central dopaminergic activity mitigates inflammation-induced PTB in mice; 2) Define predictive neuroimmunoendocrine trajectories of sPTB and their placental inflammatory signatures; and 3) Determine the effect of dopamine on the human maternal-placental interface, comparing sPTB vs. TB. Under the first aim, an established murine model of PTB will be combined with targeted neuromodulation of central reward circuitry to evaluate the effect on birth timing and peripheral immune state. In the second aim, human pregnancies at risk for sPTB will be longitudinally evaluated for multiple psychological (psychometric surveys, allostatic load) and physiological (blood immune function, non-invasive urine markers, cerebrospinal fluid markers, placental pathology) domains to define mind-body crosstalk prior to and at manifestation of clinical parturition pathology. In aim three, human endometrial stromal cells will be used to identify and causally link the effect of catecholamines on inflammatory signaling, differentiation, and protein secretion at the maternal-placental interface. The research proposed in this application is innovative because it represents a substantive advancement from the status quo by defining the basic principles of the maternal brain–immune–reproductive system axis in healthy pregnancies and those complicated by sPTB. The proposed research is significant because it is expected to offer a strong scientific framework whereby new strategies for the clinical management of patients at risk for sPTB can be developed.
Grant Summary
Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth is a NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant providing up to $658K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2031-02-28 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $658K
2031-02-28
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development before the deadline.
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Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth?
Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth is offered by NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth provide?
Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth provides up to $658K per award from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth deadline?
Applications for Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth are due 2031-02-28 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth?
To apply for Role of dopamine in neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms of spontaneous preterm birth, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.