Understanding the brain circuits involved in parenting behavior

Functional Dissection of Neural Circuitry Underlying Parenting Behavior

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10678942

This study is looking at how the brain helps parents care for their children, and it aims to understand how things like gender and whether someone has kids affect this behavior, which could help improve support for people with social challenges like autism and depression.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10678942 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the neural circuits that control parenting behavior, which is crucial for the survival of offspring across various species, including humans. By studying these circuits, the research aims to uncover how different factors, such as sex and reproductive state, influence parenting behaviors. The approach involves detailed examination of brain mechanisms and their relationship to social functioning, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders like autism and depression. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment options for social deficits associated with these conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing social functioning impairments due to neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, or major depressive disorder.

Not a fit: Patients without neuropsychiatric disorders or those not experiencing social functioning impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for social functioning impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neural circuits related to social behaviors, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.
Conditions Mental disordersMental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.