# Foxp2 genetic control of sex differences in amygdala-driven social behavior

> **NIH NIH R21** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2024 · $497,652

## Abstract

Project Summary
 During adolescence the brain undergoes dramatic changes that coincide with a major transition in social-
emotional behaviors and is a time of enhanced vulnerability for individuals with a host of neurodevelopmental
and neurobehavioral disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders. One brain region that
is a major driver of the behavioral transition during adolescence is the amygdala. The amygdala is critical for
social-emotional behavior and altered developmental trajectories and dysfunction of the amygdala are hallmark
features of many neurodevelopment and neurobehavioral disorders. Here, we focus on the role played by the
transcription factor, Foxp2, in behavioral and circuit maturation of the medial subnucleus of the amygdala during
adolescence in both males and females. Our focus on Foxp2 stems from our previous work and work in the field
highly implicating Foxp2 gene function in social brain function and critical periods of neurodevelopment. These
findings led to our hypothesis that Foxp2 is required in a sex-specific manner for the formation of social
circuitry in the medial subnucleus of the amygdala during adolescence.
 To study the function of Foxp2 in behavior and circuit maturation during adolescence, we will use cutting
edge CRISPR-Cas gene editing approaches to delete Foxp2 gene function in male and female mice specifically
in the medial amygdala during adolescence. We will examine the consequences on social behavior and neuronal
circuit function (Specific Aim 1), and using state of the art genomic profiling tools, uncover the correlate gene
regulatory deficits underlying these behavioral and circuit deficits (Specific Aim 2). The overarching goal of this
project is to generate a mechanistic understanding of the genetic control of social brain formation and social
behavior during adolescence. As amygdala dysfunction is a prime feature of a host of social and emotional
disorders, most of which show sex biases, this work is a critical step toward understanding how brain circuit
dysfunction is linked to prevalent human disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10992741
- **Project number:** 1R21MH135324-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSHUA G CORBIN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $497,652
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-23 → 2026-07-22

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10992741

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10992741, Foxp2 genetic control of sex differences in amygdala-driven social behavior (1R21MH135324-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10992741. Licensed CC0.

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