Understanding how brain circuits influence behaviors towards infants
Official title: Investigate the Neural Circuits of Infant-Directed Behaviors
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10943349 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain brain areas in mice influence whether they care for or act aggressively towards their babies, with the hope of finding ways to prevent child abuse and better understand parenting behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $709,362 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116127-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943349 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in understanding the biological factors influencing parental behaviors, particularly those concerned about child welfare.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not interested in the biological aspects of parenting or who do not have concerns related to child abuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits that control both caring and hostile behaviors towards infants, using advanced techniques like 2-photon imaging. By studying specific neural populations in mice, the researchers aim to understand how these circuits can lead to either nurturing or aggressive behaviors. The goal is to identify the underlying mechanisms that could contribute to child abuse and develop strategies to prevent it. This work is crucial for understanding the biological basis of parental care and aggression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights and interventions to prevent child abuse and improve parental care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have successfully identified neural circuits related to parental behaviors, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Dayu — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lin, Dayu
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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.