Project Summary

Arie Kaffman, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2007) of Yale University, is using mice models to study the interaction of genes and maternal care in stress reactivity and the development of psychopathology. Research in the Kaffman laboratory and elsewhere has found low levels of postnatal maternal care associated with depression and anxiety-like behaviors in the Balbc strain of mice, persisting through adulthood, but not in the more resilient C57 strain. Dr. Kaffman believes susceptibility may be partly due to differences in ability to modify expression of neurotrophic factors, proteins responsible for neuron growth, and that research in this area will result in new strategies for treating affective disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS\Mood Disorders/Personality Disorders\Unipolar/Personality Disorders

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