Effects of childhood adversity on anxiety and avoidance behaviors
Official title: Investigating the effects of early life adversity on the developmental trajectory of avoidance circuitry
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10997976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tough experiences in childhood, like neglect or mistreatment, can change how teenagers' brains react to scary or rewarding situations, using young mice to help us understand why some kids might feel more anxious or avoid things that could help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,308 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH138135-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997976 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who have experienced early life adversity and are showing signs of anxiety or avoidance behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early life adversity or do not exhibit anxiety-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early life adversity, such as neglect or maltreatment, affects the brain's response to threats and rewards, particularly focusing on adolescents. By studying the basolateral amygdala, a brain region involved in processing emotions, the research aims to understand how these experiences shape behavior and contribute to anxiety disorders. The study will use adolescent mice to explore the biological mechanisms that link early adversity to increased threat avoidance, which is common in anxiety and depression. Through this work, researchers hope to uncover insights that could lead to better interventions for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for anxiety and related disorders stemming from early life adversity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early life experiences significantly impact emotional and behavioral outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodpaster, Caitlin — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Goodpaster, Caitlin
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.