Understanding Brain Changes That Help Cope with Stress
Projection-specific gene expression in resilience to chronic stress
This research explores how specific brain changes and hormones might help some people cope with chronic stress and avoid mood disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126718 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to understand why some individuals develop mood disorders like depression after stressful experiences, while others remain resilient. We are particularly interested in how brain circuits, specifically a connection between two brain areas (ventral hippocampus and nucleus accumbens), are involved in this process. Our previous work showed that testosterone in males can influence these brain circuits to increase resilience to stress. This project will now explore the exact ways testosterone and its receptors change gene activity in these brain cells, which could explain how some people are better able to handle stress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but future studies building on this work might seek individuals with mood disorders or those experiencing chronic stress.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing chronic stress or mood disorders, or those not interested in the biological mechanisms of stress resilience, may not find direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to help people become more resilient to stress and develop more effective treatments for mood disorders, especially considering sex differences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous phases of this grant have already shown promising results regarding brain excitability and testosterone's role in stress resilience in animal models, indicating a solid foundation for this continued work.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robison, Alfred J — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Robison, Alfred J
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 below.