Investigating how brain connections affect responses to social stress
Official title: Role of locus coeruleus-paraventricular thalamic projections in social threat processing
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10798232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain connections affect how we handle social stress, using mice to learn more about why some people might struggle with stress-related mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $218,784 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH131932-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10798232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing stress-related mental health issues, particularly those with a history of social defeat or trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience stress-related mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of specific brain connections between the locus coeruleus and the paraventricular thalamus in how individuals respond to social stress. By studying both male and female mice, the researchers aim to understand how these brain areas influence behaviors related to stress and motivation. The approach includes examining neuronal activity and its relationship to stress susceptibility, particularly in response to social defeat. This could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of stress-related mental health conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating stress-related mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on locus coeruleus-paraventricular thalamic projections is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding stress responses in animal models.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhatnagar, Seema — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Bhatnagar, Seema
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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.