How early life stress affects anxiety through brain connections
Role of microglial IRF8 in the developmental consequences of early adversity
This study looks at how unpredictable stress in early life affects brain connections and anxiety, especially in areas of the brain linked to emotions and memory, using mice to see if there are differences between males and females.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10734758 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to unpredictable stress during early life influences brain connectivity and anxiety levels, particularly focusing on the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. Using a mouse model, the study examines the effects of early life stress on anxiety and brain connectivity, with a specific emphasis on differences between male and female subjects. Advanced imaging techniques like resting state fMRI and diffusion MRI are employed to analyze these changes, providing insights that are difficult to obtain from human studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with a history of anxiety disorders linked to early life stress.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of anxiety disorders or early life stress may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for anxiety disorders stemming from early life stress.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding the effects of early life stress on anxiety using animal models, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaffman, Arie — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Kaffman, Arie
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.