Understanding how birth order affects brain functions related to mental health.

Deconstructing the cellular control of hippocampal functions related to mental health: a role for birth order.

NIH-funded research New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10540772

This study is looking at how the hippocampus, a part of the brain important for learning and memory, reacts to stress and how things like your birth order might affect its health, especially for people dealing with depression and anxiety.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10540772 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the hippocampus in mental health, particularly how it responds to stress and its involvement in learning and memory. The study focuses on how environmental factors, including birth order, may influence the development and functioning of the hippocampus, which is crucial for regulating stress and emotional responses. By examining the neurogenesis process in the hippocampus, the research aims to uncover how different experiences can affect mental health outcomes, particularly in conditions like depression and anxiety. Patients may be involved in assessments that explore these relationships and their implications for treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are adults aged 21 and older who may be experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients with acute mental health crises or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how to better manage and treat mental health conditions by understanding the biological underpinnings related to birth order.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the hippocampus's role in mental health, but this specific focus on birth order is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
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.