Understanding how stress affects the brain's reward system
VTA-NAc GABAergic communication underlying stress-induced reward deficits
['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC · NIH-11088795
This study looks at how stress affects the brain's ability to seek out rewards, especially for people dealing with conditions like depression and schizophrenia, by observing mice under chronic stress to understand how different parts of the brain communicate when it comes to wanting and learning about rewards.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11088795 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates how stress impacts the brain's ability to seek rewards, particularly in the context of psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia. By studying mice that experience chronic stress, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind reward-seeking deficits. The focus is on the communication between specific brain regions, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and how stress alters this communication. The study employs advanced techniques to observe brain activity and its relationship to reward anticipation and learning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or substance use disorders, particularly those affected by stress.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have stress-related reward-seeking deficits or those with unrelated psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for improving reward-seeking behavior in individuals suffering from stress-related psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain communication in reward-seeking, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HARRIS, ALEXANDER — NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC
- Study coordinator: HARRIS, ALEXANDER
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 below.