2006 — 2007 |
Nephew, Benjamin C |
F32Activity Code Description: To provide postdoctoral research training to individuals to broaden their scientific background and extend their potential for research in specified health-related areas. |
Neuropeptidergic Control of Maternal Behavior @ Tufts University Boston
[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Three specific aims are proposed to address the overall hypothesis that arginine vasopressin (AVP) has significant roles in the retention of maternal behavior, the expression maternal aggression, and that there are potential connections between central AVP levels and the expression of maternal behavior and aggression. In addition, the potential connection between AVP's effects on maternal behavior and its established role in social recognition will be explored. In Specific Aim 1, we postulate that AVP may play a role in the retention of maternal behavior. In contrast to the wealth of research supporting AVP's role in social recognition and parental behavior in other rodent species, there is a paucity of research focusing on AVP and maternal behavior or aggression in the rat. Specific Aim 2 will attempt to determine if AVP modulates maternal aggression. It has been shown that AVP stimulates aggression in non-lactating rodents, but its role in maternal aggression is uncertain. Specific Aim 3 will investigate AVP anatomy in lactating rodents by examining AVP and AVP mRNA levels in behaviorally relevant nuclei in lactating rats using RIA and RNase protection, and potential correlations between AVP and aggression will be explored. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]
|
1 |
2009 — 2010 |
Nephew, Benjamin C |
K99Activity Code Description: To support the initial phase of a Career/Research Transition award program that provides 1-2 years of mentored support for highly motivated, advanced postdoctoral research scientists. |
Central Vasopressin and Maternal Behavior @ Tufts University Boston
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The mission of the NICHD is to ensure that every person is bom healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes, and that all children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives, free from disease or disability, and to ensure the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of all people through optimal rehabilitation. Postpartum anxiety and depression- associated disorders can have negative effects on the health of both mother and offspring through effects on maternal behavior, and little is known about the etiology of these disorders. Although chronic stress is a significant risk factor for depression, it is unknown how chronic stress during lactation affects maternal behavior. Recent molecular studies indicate that the neurohormones arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OXT), and corticosteroid releasing hormone (CRH) may be involved in the modulation of maternal behavior in lactating rats. It is h3T) 0thesized that the central AVP system may be a potential target for the treatment of postpartum behavioral disorders, as central manipulations of AVP alter behavior. The overall objective of the current protocol is to investigate the role of AVP in postpartum maternal behavior and aggression, and the effects of social stress on this system. The specific aims of the current proposal are to characterize the roles of central AVP, OXT, and CRH in the control of maternal behavior and maternal aggression, investigate the effects of chronic social stressors on these behaviors and central AVP, and investigate a potential AVP-mediated mechanism for the effects of chronic social stress on maternal behavior. These aims will be pursued using behavioral, endocrine, and molecular methods to quantify the effects of chronic social stressors, molecular and imaging (fMRI) techniques to identify the neural regions implicated in the acute and chronic control of maternal behavior, and stereotaxic surgical techniques to manipulate central AVP activity. The overall goal is to gain valuable training in behavioral neuroscience techniques and study the neuropeptidergic control of behavior. The long term career goal is to develop new targets and treatments for behavioral disorders of mothers. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE (See instructions): Although it is clear that the behavior of the mother affects the behavior and health of her children, very few studies have been directed at determining the causes of postpartum behavioral disorders. This application will help to ensure the health of mothers and their children by investigating potential mechanisms for the control of maternal behavior and causes for postpartum behavioral disorders.
|
1 |
2012 — 2014 |
Nephew, Benjamin C |
R00Activity Code Description: To support the second phase of a Career/Research Transition award program that provides 1 -3 years of independent research support (R00) contingent on securing an independent research position. Award recipients will be expected to compete successfully for independent R01 support from the NIH during the R00 research transition award period. |
Vasopressin and Maternal Behavior @ Tufts University Boston
The mission ofthe NICHD is to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes, and that ail children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives, free from disease or disability, and to ensure the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of all people through optimal rehabilitation. Postpartum anxiety and depression-associated disorders can have negative effects on the health of both mother and offspring through effects on matemal behavior, and little is known about the etiology of these disorders. Although chronic stress is a significant risk factor for depression, it is unknown how chronic stress during lactation affects maternal behavior. Recent molecular studies indicate that the neurohormones arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OXT), and corticosteroid releasing hormone (CRH) may be involved in the modulation of maternal behavior in lactating rats. It is hypothesized that the central AVP system may be a potential target for the treatment of postpartum behavioral disorders, as central manipulations of AVP alter behavior. The overall objective of the current protocol is to investigate the role of AVP in postpartum maternal behavior and aggression, and the effects of social stress on this system. The specific aims ofthe current proposal are to characterize the roles of central AVP, OXT, and CRH in the control of maternal behavior and maternal aggression, investigate the effects of chronic social stressors on these behaviors and central AVP, and investigate a potential AVP-mediated mechanism forthe effects of chronic social stress on maternal behavior. These aims will be pursued using behavioral, endocrine, physiological and molecular methods to quantify the effects of chronic social stressors, molecular and imaging (fMRI) techniques to identify the neural regions implicated in the acute and chronic control of maternal behavior, and stereotaxic surgical techniques to manipulate central AVP activity. The overal goal is to gain valuable training in behavioral) neuroscience techniques and study the neuropeptidergic control of behavior. The long term career goal is to develop new targets and treatments for behavioral disorders of mothers.
|
1 |