Understanding how some children cope with traumatic experiences

Susceptibility and Resilience to Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Role for Perineuronal Nets

NIH-funded research West Virginia University · NIH-10886732

This study is looking at why some kids who go through really tough experiences, like violence or accidents, don’t end up with mental health problems, and it’s exploring how certain brain structures might help them cope better, using young rats to learn more about this resilience so we can find new ways to support kids who face trauma.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWest Virginia University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Morgantown, United States)
Project IDNIH-10886732 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates why many children who experience severe stress and traumatic events, such as violence or accidents, do not develop psychological issues. It focuses on the role of perineuronal nets in the brain, which may help some children forget or cope with these adverse experiences. By studying young rats, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind resilience and memory formation related to trauma. The findings could lead to new treatments that enhance resilience in children exposed to trauma.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who have experienced adverse childhood events.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced any traumatic events or those over the age of 11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for helping children cope with and recover from traumatic experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding resilience to trauma, but this specific approach focusing on perineuronal nets is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Morgantown, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.