How early-life challenges affect reward behaviors in the brain
Official title: On circuit mechanisms of reward behaviors after early-life adversity
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10897340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tough experiences early in life can change the brain's pleasure pathways, which might help us understand why some people feel less joy and could be at risk for depression, using mice to explore these changes in both boys and girls.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $700,745 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132680-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals under 21 years old who have experienced early-life adversity and are showing signs of mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early-life adversity or do not exhibit symptoms related to reward processing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how early-life adversity impacts the brain's reward circuits, which can lead to conditions like depression characterized by anhedonia, or a lack of pleasure. Using a rodent model, the study aims to identify specific brain pathways that are altered due to early-life stress, particularly focusing on a newly discovered connection between the basolateral amygdala and the nucleus accumbens. By examining these pathways in male and female mice, the research seeks to understand the mechanisms behind these changes and their implications for mental health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the biological underpinnings of mental illnesses and inform the development of targeted treatments for individuals affected by early-life adversity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the effects of early-life adversity on brain function, but this specific investigation into the CRH+BLA-NAc pathway is novel.
Where this research is happening
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University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baram, Tallie Z. — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Baram, Tallie Z.
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.