How early life shapes the hypothalamus and motivation
Developmental Programming of the Human Hypothalamus and its Role in Motivated Behaviors
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · NIH-11252350
Researchers will use brain scans from babies, children, teens, and young adults to learn how early hardships change the hypothalamus and relate to mood and motivated behavior.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (IRVINE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252350 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project analyzes large, existing MRI datasets from thousands of participants spanning birth to young adulthood to map how the hypothalamus grows and connects to other brain regions. The team will create standard measures of hypothalamic size, shape, and connectivity using advanced image-analysis methods. They will link those brain measures to records of early life adversity such as economic hardship and childhood stress. The work aims to explain how early experiences may shape brain circuits that affect motivation and mental health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, especially those who experienced early life adversity or childhood stress.
Not a fit: People whose concerns are unrelated to childhood adversity or who have conditions not linked to hypothalamic function may be less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal brain markers that help identify children at higher risk for mood and behavioral problems and guide earlier, more targeted prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging studies have linked early adversity to brain changes, but using very large, age-spanning datasets to map the hypothalamus specifically is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
IRVINE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE — IRVINE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RASMUSSEN, JEROD MICHAEL — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- Study coordinator: RASMUSSEN, JEROD MICHAEL
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 below.