How early experiences shape social behavior in infants
Official title: The Multisensory Ontogeny of Social Behavior
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10910482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the care babies receive from their parents affects their social skills, especially for infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by exploring how they respond to their mom's scent and how early challenges might impact their ability to connect with others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,340,637 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2HD118871-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or those at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 21 years or do not have Autism Spectrum Disorder may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early parental care influences the development of social behaviors in infants, particularly focusing on those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It explores the neural mechanisms that encode parental cues and how early life adversity can lead to long-lasting social deficits. By using innovative behavioral paradigms and technologies, the study aims to understand the sensory processing deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The research will involve examining the effects of maternal odors on infant memory and behavior during critical early developmental stages.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions that improve social functioning in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of early life experiences on social behavior, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bambah-Mukku, Dhananjay — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Bambah-Mukku, Dhananjay
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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.