Understanding how fathers' brains influence their caregiving behaviors
Official title: Neurobiology of Paternal Care
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11046492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why some dads are loving and caring while others might struggle with being nurturing, using African striped mice to understand how genes and life experiences affect fatherly behavior, with the hope of finding ways to help improve children's health and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,892 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HD110180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include fathers or caregivers who may be experiencing challenges in their caregiving roles.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not fathers or caregivers, or those who do not have children, may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind paternal behavior, focusing on why some fathers are nurturing while others may be abusive or neglectful. Using African striped mice as a model, the study will explore how both genetics and environmental experiences shape paternal care. Researchers will employ advanced techniques such as brain imaging and molecular analysis to identify brain networks involved in these behaviors. The goal is to gain insights that could inform interventions for improving child health and development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for enhancing positive paternal involvement in child development.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach using African striped mice is novel, similar studies have shown success in understanding parental behaviors in other species.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogers, Forrest Dylan — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Rogers, Forrest Dylan
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.