Understanding how mouse mothers care for sick offspring
Official title: Neuro-Evolutionary Basis of Vertebrate Social Behavior
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11001736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how mouse moms know when their babies are sick and how they take care of them, using special video tools to watch their behavior, and it aims to help us understand caring behaviors in both animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| 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 | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,836 |
| NIH project number | 1F99NS139546-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or those interested in the social behaviors related to caregiving.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any interest in or connection to social behavior studies or those without ASD may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the ways in which mouse mothers can detect when their young are sick and how they respond to provide care. By using advanced video monitoring techniques, the study observes maternal behaviors in response to sickness induced by a bacterial substance. The goal is to uncover the neural mechanisms that drive these caregiving behaviors, which are crucial for the survival of the offspring. Insights from this research may help us understand social behaviors in both animals and humans, particularly in the context of health and caregiving.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behaviors and caregiving, potentially informing interventions for conditions like autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding social behaviors in animals, making this approach promising for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Caslin, Asha — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Caslin, Asha
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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.