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Cell-type and projection-specific dissection of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the mediation of social behavioral deficits induced by early life adversity

Award Number: R15MH127514
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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Cell-type and projection-specific dissection of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the mediation of social behavioral deficits induced by early life adversity - PROJECT SUMMARY Nearly one percent of children in the US experience childhood abuse or neglect, which can induce life-long behavioral deficits including social behavior disorders like social anxiety, attachment disorders, difficult peer relations, and externalizing behaviors. Investigations into the neural mechanisms mediating early life adversity induced behavioral impairments have largely focused on dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its release of the stress hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which accounts for aspects of altered anxiety and responsiveness to stress induced by early life adversity. However, social interaction involves coordination between neural circuits promoting reward and circuits inhibiting anxiety, and thus neural substrates mediating early life adversity-induced social deficits likely extend beyond HPA axis dysfunction, but this has not been systematically investigated. Our parent grant is designed to address the extent to which early adversity-induced social deficits are driven by dysfunction in anxiety versus reward circuits, critical for effectively treating disorders spurred by childhood abuse and neglect. Our lab uses mouse maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) to model early life adversity, which robustly reduces social interaction and increases anxiety-like behavior, recapitulating effects of childhood abuse and neglect. Prior findings in my and others’ labs have consistently shown that rodent maternal separation procedures adversely affect females to a greater extent than males. This mirrors the human clinical population, as females exhibit greater rates of anxiety-related disorders and depression than males. While research for the parent grant considers sex as an experimental factor, we have devised a study to further examine how exposure to early life adversity interferes with the development of sexually dimorphic neuronal systems to permanently alter behavior. Ms. Janet Ronquillo will carry out this experimentation during a post-baccalaureate gap year, during which she will also follow a rigorous plan to set her up for success in her future career path.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$9,381 )
2025	2023	PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SANTA CLARA COLLEGE	500 EL CAMINO REAL	SANTA CLARA	CA	95050	SANTA CLARA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	12/23/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	-$9,381
														Subtotal = -$9,381

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2021	PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SANTA CLARA COLLEGE	500 EL CAMINO REAL	SANTA CLARA	CA	95050	SANTA CLARA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	5/29/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $81,386 )
2023	2023	PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SANTA CLARA COLLEGE	500 EL CAMINO REAL	SANTA CLARA	CA	95050	SANTA CLARA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/28/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$81,386
														Subtotal = $81,386

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $411,000 )
2021	2021	PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SANTA CLARA COLLEGE	500 EL CAMINO REAL	SANTA CLARA	CA	95050	SANTA CLARA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/15/2021	NEW	$411,000
														Subtotal = $411,000

Grand Total All Awards = $483,005

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Cell-type and projection-specific dissection of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the mediation of social behavioral deficits induced by early life adversity

Award Number: R15MH127514

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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