Understanding sex differences in brain development after early life trauma
Official title: Ontogeny of sex differences in amygdala and hypothalamus after neonatal trauma
Funded at University of New England · NIH-11145910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how early life stress, such as experiences in a neonatal intensive care unit, affects brain development differently in males and females, potentially leading to mood problems or chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 3, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $142,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153598-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work does not directly involve human patients but aims to understand the biological roots of conditions affecting adults who experienced early life trauma, such as those who were in a NICU.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced early life trauma or related emotional/pain conditions may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
We know that early medical care, like in the NICU, saves lives but can also increase the risk for emotional problems, mood disorders, and chronic pain later on. There are clear differences in how males and females respond to these early life challenges, with males sometimes having more neurological issues and females facing higher risks for internalizing disorders. This project uses animal models to understand the specific brain and hormone changes that cause these sex differences in vulnerability to negative emotions and pain after early life stress. By studying how the brain's stress response system, particularly in areas like the amygdala, develops differently in males and females after early trauma, we hope to uncover new ways to help.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat emotional problems and chronic pain in adults who experienced trauma as infants, tailored specifically for males and females.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms are largely unknown, previous work has shown that early life pain can lead to lasting changes in behavior and pain sensitivity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burman, Michael a — University of New England
- Study coordinator: Burman, Michael a
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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.