Understanding how early life stress, hormones, and brain changes contribute to anxiety and mood issues
Investigating steroid hormones, neurosteroids, and perineuronal nets in early life adversity-induced changes in hippocampal function
This research explores how early life challenges and hormone shifts might affect brain function, leading to anxiety and mood disorders, especially in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170700 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people who experience difficult early life events are more likely to develop anxiety and mood disorders later on. This is especially true for women, with hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause often increasing this risk. Our work focuses on a specific part of the brain, the hippocampus, which is involved in anxiety and memory. We are looking at how stress in early life, combined with certain hormones and brain structures called perineuronal nets, might change how this brain area works. By understanding these connections, we hope to uncover why some individuals are more vulnerable to these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to adults, particularly women, who have experienced early life adversity and are affected by anxiety or mood disorders, especially those sensitive to hormonal changes.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct participation in a human clinical trial would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat anxiety and mood disorders by targeting specific brain processes and hormone pathways.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds upon existing knowledge of brain function and hormonal influences, but the specific combination of factors and mechanisms being explored here represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- Princeton University — Princeton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gould, Elizabeth — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Gould, Elizabeth
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.