Attentional biases to emotional cues in babies of mothers with depression
Official title: Development of Attentional Biases for Affective Cues in Infants of Mothers with Depression
Funded at State University of Ny,binghamton · NIH-11384111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study with infants aged 6–12 months and their mothers with and without a history of depression explores how babies pay attention to faces showing sadness and how this relates to early risk for mood problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of Ny,binghamton NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Binghamton, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $747,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132667-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384111 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants aged 6–12 months and their mothers, with and without a history of major depressive disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Infants whose families do not meet the study criteria or who cannot participate in follow-up assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows 150 infants whose mothers have a history of major depressive disorder since birth and 75 infants whose mothers have no such history, checking them repeatedly to see how attention to sad faces and infant arousal develop over time. Researchers will use age-appropriate eye-tracking and behavioral measures to map attentional patterns and arousal across several time points. By examining both mother and infant factors, the study aims to reveal how parent–child dynamics contribute to early risk for affective difficulties. The findings could inform early screening and interventions to support families where maternal depression affects child development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could help families and clinicians identify early signs of risk and tailor preventive strategies to support healthy emotional development in children of mothers with depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between maternal depression and infant attention, but this study adds longitudinal and transactional angles to clarify mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of Ny,binghamton
Binghamton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibb, Brandon E — State University of Ny,binghamton
- Study coordinator: Gibb, Brandon E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
-
Personalized iTBS for Depression: Faster, Targeted Brain Stimulation
A personalized, time-efficient brain stimulation approach may help people with treatment-resistant depression achieve better relief using tailored iTBS settings.
-
Ultrasound-guided brain circuit targets for treatment-resistant depression
This grant tests whether focused ultrasound can safely and reversibly adjust brain circuits linked to negative mood in people with treatment-resistant depression.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.