How early stress affects gut bacteria and behavior in children
The Development of Gut Microbiota and Behavioral Inhibition in Childhood: The Role of Early Stress and Brain Development
This study is looking at how stress in early childhood affects the bacteria in kids' guts and how that might relate to their feelings of anxiety and behavior, and it's for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10898607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how early life stress impacts the development of gut microbiota and its relationship with behavioral inhibition in children. By examining a cohort of children from 6 months to 4 years old, the study will assess how psychosocial stress influences gut bacteria and how these changes may affect brain development and anxiety-related behaviors. Participants will undergo lab and home visits for various assessments, allowing researchers to gather comprehensive data on the interplay between stress, gut health, and behavior during critical developmental stages.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0 to 4 years who may have experienced early life stress.
Not a fit: Children who have not experienced any significant early life stress or those outside the age range of 0 to 4 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes in children by targeting gut microbiota.
How similar studies have performed: While there is substantial evidence from animal studies regarding the gut-brain connection, this research is among the first to explore these associations in humans, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Propper, Cathi Barbra — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Propper, Cathi Barbra
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.