Investigating how psychological stress affects young male and female mice
Official title: Psychological stress susceptibility in juvenile female and male mice
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-10874565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress affects young male and female mice and how it might lead to feelings similar to depression, helping us understand the differences in how boys and girls handle stress during their growing years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $153,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145552-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be adolescents experiencing mood-related issues or those at risk for developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those without mood-related disorders may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of psychological stress on juvenile male and female mice, focusing on how these experiences may lead to symptoms similar to major depressive disorder (MDD). The study utilizes a unique method where a mouse observes another mouse being defeated, which mimics stress-related behaviors. By including both genders and younger mice, the research aims to uncover the neurobiological factors contributing to mood disorders during critical developmental stages. The findings could provide insights into the differences in how stress affects males and females, particularly during adolescence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for mood disorders in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using similar animal models to study mood disorders, although this specific approach focusing on juvenile populations is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iniguez, Sergio Diaz — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Iniguez, Sergio Diaz
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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.