Sex and state–dependent brain circuits that control parental behavior
Official title: Sex and physiological State dependent molecular characterization of circuits governing parental behavior
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11406310 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study of how sex and physical state shape the brain circuits that drive parenting, with findings that could help understand why parental care varies and how it might be supported.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $224,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD108801-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406310 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults whose parental behavior or caregiving is studied in a translational context or who have conditions affecting caregiving circuits and could participate in future related human research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without interest in participation in neuroscience or caregiving research or without related conditions would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how biological sex and conditions such as hormones and age influence the brain circuits that govern parental care. Using advanced genetic and single-cell techniques, researchers will map which neurons and gene programs are active when parenting occurs in male and female animals at different states. The work aims to connect changes in gene expression and neural properties to actual parenting behaviors over hours to days. Findings could reveal targets for supporting parental care in cases where it is disrupted.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better understanding of how parental care is regulated and identify targets to support parents who struggle with caregiving.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that sex and state can alter brain circuits and gene programs related to behavior, supporting the potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Logeman, Brandon — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Logeman, Brandon
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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.