{"id":233767,"date":"2026-05-06T11:29:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=233767"},"modified":"2026-05-06T11:29:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:29:37","slug":"prenatal-methamphetamine-exposure-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/06\/prenatal-methamphetamine-exposure-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on infant neurobehavioral outcomes"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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(Photo credit: Omar Lopez\/Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> project focused on identifying early brain-based markers in infants exposed to methamphetamine before birth has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Ola HAWAIʻI<\/span><\/a> through the National Institutes of Health (NIH<\/abbr>). The research represents a critical step toward improving how children at higher risk for adverse developmental outcomes are identified and supported early in life.<\/p>\n

The project aims to identify neurodevelopmental biomarkers that can detect early neurobehavioral impairments associated with prenatal methamphetamine exposure. If successful, this work could lay the foundation for scalable screening tools and targeted intervention programs designed to improve outcomes for children across Hawaiʻi<\/span> and beyond.<\/p>\n

“This project is about providing families with answers sooner and equipping providers with better tools to deliver care,” said Katy Tarrit, assistant professor in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences<\/a> in the College of Natural Sciences<\/a>, principal investigator of the study, and director of the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory. “The identification of objective neurodevelopmental biomarkers of risk in infancy enables a transition from reactive detection of developmental delays to early, targeted interventions that support optimal brain development during critical stages of neurodevelopment.”<\/p>\n

Prenatal methamphetamine exposure has been linked to long-term cognitive, behavioral, motor, and developmental challenges. However, many children are not identified until these delays become more pronounced, often years later.<\/p>\n

By identifying measurable early biomarkers of neurodevelopmental risk, the research team aims to establish a framework for early, targeted intervention—particularly in communities with limited access to specialized healthcare services.<\/p>\n

More about Ola HAWAIʻI<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ola HAWAIʻI<\/span> is a ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ<\/abbr> Research Center in Minority Institutions Specialized Center funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, part of the National Institutes of Health. Based at the John A. Burns School of Medicine<\/a>, the center works to advance minority health and health disparities research in Hawaiʻi<\/span>, focusing on communities that experience disproportionate disease burden and limited access to care. Supported through a five-year federal NIH<\/abbr> award, Ola HAWAIʻI<\/span> strengthens research capacity, mentors investigators and partners with communities to improve health outcomes statewide.<\/p>\n