Understanding how stress affects brain circuits and behavior
Official title: Circuits and neurotransmitters involved in VTA glutamate neuron regulation of the consequences of stress
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-11077884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells in mice react to stress and how that affects feelings of anxiety and social behavior, which could help us understand more about stress-related issues in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 22, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $387,577 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130576-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or stress-related disorders, particularly those with symptoms of social avoidance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stress-related disorders that are not linked to anxiety or social avoidance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific neurons in the brain, particularly those in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), respond to stress and influence behaviors related to anxiety and social avoidance. By studying mice, the researchers aim to identify the pathways and neurotransmitters involved in these stress responses. The project will explore how different types of stress, controllable versus uncontrollable, affect these neurons and the resulting behaviors. This could provide insights into the biological mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for anxiety and stress-related disorders by targeting specific brain circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain circuits in stress responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Root, David H — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Root, David H
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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.