Understanding how orexins affect stress responses during adolescence
Official title: Orexins actions in adolescence
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10750999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a hormone called orexin affects how teenagers handle stress over time, using young rats to see if there are differences between boys and girls, and it hopes to shed light on how these findings might relate to mental health issues in young people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $220,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH131944-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10750999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would be adolescents aged 12 to 20, particularly those experiencing stress-related issues or mental health concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing stress-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the hormone orexin influences the ability of adolescents to adapt to repeated stress. By studying both male and female adolescent rats, the researchers aim to understand the differences in stress responses and habituation patterns. The study will explore how these hormonal changes may relate to mental health disorders, particularly in the context of cognitive stressors. The findings could provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying stress responses in young people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for mental health disorders in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown sex differences in stress responses, but this specific focus on orexin in adolescents is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhatnagar, Seema — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Bhatnagar, Seema
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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.