A detailed map of the brain's serotonin wiring
Building a Granular Brain-Wide Map of the Serotonin System
This project will create a detailed map of serotonin-producing brain cells and their connections to help people with mood, anxiety, aggression, or sleep problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11287855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a single-cell barcoding method that tags individual serotonin neurons so they can follow each neuron's wiring throughout the brain. They will measure how strongly each neuron connects to different brain areas and identify groups of neurons that co-innervate the same targets, forming subnetworks. The team will also profile the molecular makeup and activity patterns of neurons in each projection to link wiring with function. Together, these data aim to reveal distinct serotonin circuits that could be targeted more precisely in future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with mood, anxiety, aggression, or sleep disorders, or adults interested in contributing samples or participating in related translational work, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with medical issues unrelated to serotonin-driven brain functions, children, or those seeking an immediate clinical treatment change are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this mapping project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable more precise treatments that target specific serotonin circuits to improve depression, anxiety, aggression, or sleep problems while reducing side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Related circuit-mapping methods have produced useful wiring maps in animals, but a brain-wide, single-cell-level map of the serotonin system at this scale is novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Bradley — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Miller, Bradley
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.