How stress affects motivation and reward-seeking behavior
Official title: Neurocircuitry of motivated reward-seeking after stress
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11122586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress affects our motivation to seek rewards, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how our brains respond to stress and how that might change our behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $606,029 |
| NIH project number | 1R56MH137986-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing stress-related disorders or anxiety who may benefit from improved understanding of coping strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience stress-related issues or anxiety may not find direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between stress and motivation, focusing on how certain brain circuits respond to stress and influence behaviors related to reward-seeking. By studying the medial habenulo-interpeduncular nucleus and its connections with dopamine pathways, the research aims to understand how stress impacts coping behaviors and motivation for rewards. The approach includes using advanced techniques like optogenetics in animal models to observe changes in behavior and brain activity in response to stress and rewarding stimuli.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating stress-related disorders and improving coping mechanisms in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurocircuitry of stress and motivation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tapper, Andrew R — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Tapper, Andrew R
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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.