How brain activity and maternal care influence anxiety in children

Precursors of Anxiety: The Role of Lateralized Brain Activation and Maternal Sensitivity

NIH-funded research Washington State University · NIH-11000805

This study looks at how the way a baby's brain works and how caring their mom is can influence whether the child develops anxiety, helping us find early signs of anxiety to improve support for families.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pullman, United States)
Project IDNIH-11000805 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how brain activation patterns and maternal sensitivity contribute to the development of anxiety in children. By using electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, the study aims to identify specific brain activity associated with fearful temperament in infants. It also examines how maternal responsiveness can affect the relationship between fear reactivity and anxiety symptoms. The goal is to understand the early markers of anxiety to better inform prevention and intervention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants and young children who may exhibit signs of anxiety or fearful temperament.

Not a fit: Patients who are adults or do not have identifiable anxiety symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early identification and intervention strategies for anxiety disorders in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between brain activity and anxiety, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Pullman, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.