How feeling in control changes brain circuits to build resilience and social confidence
Stressor controllability: Prefrontal circuits that produce resilience and dominance
This work looks at whether specific brain pathways that respond when someone feels in control can reduce the harms of stress and help people stay resilient.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257344 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've ever felt less stressed after having control over a difficult situation, this research aims to explain why that happens in the brain. Researchers map and manipulate brain circuits in animals and relate those findings to the same prefrontal, thalamic, striatal, and brainstem regions in humans. They combine behavioral tests, neural recordings, and targeted circuit interventions in rodents and tie those results to human imaging or behavioral data to link mechanisms across species. The team hopes to identify brain targets or behavioral strategies that could be used to strengthen resilience to stress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults affected by chronic stress, stress-related conditions (such as PTSD or anxiety), or people interested in resilience research who can participate in behavioral or imaging studies.
Not a fit: People with medical issues unrelated to stress biology or those needing immediate clinical treatment for acute conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic/translational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new brain-based targets or behavioral approaches that help people resist the harmful effects of stress and recover more quickly.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal research has shown that having behavioral control reduces stress and has identified related prefrontal circuits, but translating these findings into human therapies is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baratta, Michael V — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Baratta, Michael V
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.