How dopamine affects how infants develop movement and communication skills
Official title: Dopamine regulation of infant perceptual motor development and communication
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10908686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain chemical called dopamine helps babies recognize their caregivers and express their needs, using a special type of fish to understand how these important skills develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $547,692 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD110514-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children aged 0-11 years who may be experiencing developmental delays or disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without any developmental concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of dopamine in the perceptual motor development of infants, focusing on how they recognize caregivers and communicate their needs. By using social tadpoles that exhibit begging behaviors, the study aims to uncover the neuronal mechanisms behind these critical developmental processes. Advanced neurogenetic tools will be employed to explore how dopamine signaling influences motor displays and social recognition in neonates. The findings could provide insights into the fundamental aspects of infant communication and bonding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of infant development and lead to improved interventions for developmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the role of dopamine in development, but this specific approach using social tadpoles is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connell, Lauren a — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: O'connell, Lauren a
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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.