Understanding how stress affects social behavior in mice
Official title: Circuit-level regulation of social avoidance learning in chronically stressed mice
Funded at Hunter College · NIH-10984996 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how long-term stress affects social behavior in mice, which might help us understand similar issues in people with anxiety and stress-related problems, focusing on how certain brain areas are involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hunter College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $166,813 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH135430-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10984996 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or stress-related disorders that manifest as social avoidance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience anxiety or stress-related disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic stress influences social avoidance behaviors in mice, which may reflect similar patterns in humans with anxiety and stress-related disorders. By using a rodent model of chronic social defeat stress, the study aims to explore the role of specific brain circuits, particularly the amygdala, in mediating these behaviors. The researchers will employ various techniques, including behavioral assessments and advanced circuit mapping, to understand the underlying mechanisms of social avoidance. This work could provide insights into how stress impacts social interactions and inform potential therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for anxiety and stress-related disorders by targeting the brain circuits involved in social behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using rodent models to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of stress and anxiety, indicating that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Hunter College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burghardt, Nesha Star — Hunter College
- Study coordinator: Burghardt, Nesha Star
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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.