Investigating how stress affects boys and girls differently

Synaptic and Genetic Mechanisms of Sex-Specific Effects of Stress

NIH-funded research State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11019694

This study looks at how stress in early life affects the brains and behaviors of male and female mice, helping us understand why boys might act more aggressively and girls might become less social when they experience stress.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Amherst, United States)
Project IDNIH-11019694 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the effects of early life stress on the brain and behavior of male and female mice, aiming to understand why boys may show increased aggression while girls may become less sociable after experiencing stress. By using advanced techniques, the researchers will observe changes in behavior and brain activity in response to stressors. The study focuses on the physiological and genetic mechanisms that contribute to these differences, which could provide insights into how stress impacts adolescents uniquely based on sex.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents who have experienced significant stress or trauma.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced stress or those with unrelated behavioral issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of stress-related behavioral issues in children and adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that stress can have different effects on males and females, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Amherst, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.