Basal forebrain signaling and cognitive flexibility in reversal learning
Official title: Discrete Functions of Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Signaling to Amygdala and Orbitofrontal Cortex in Reversal Learning
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11368525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist-in-training will study how specific brain signals link memory, attention, and learning flexibility in rodent models to better understand symptoms seen in autism and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career 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 start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $196,920 |
| NIH project number | 5K08MH135164-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients or families affected by autism or related neurodevelopmental conditions could benefit from future translational work arising from this program.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits may not occur during the training period, as the focus is on preclinical mechanisms and skill development.
What this research studies
This four-year program provides MD/PhD training to explore how basal forebrain acetylcholine signals influence amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex circuits during reversal learning. Researchers will combine rodent behavior with advanced cell biology, computational modeling, optogenetics, and modern behavioral tracking to understand cognitive flexibility. The training plan includes co-mentors, seminars, and a neuroscience-rich environment at NYSPI and Columbia to build skills for independent investigation. The work aims to translate fundamental circuit insights into the context of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The study focuses on acetylcholine and its role in associative learning and adaptable behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights into brain circuits that support flexible thinking could inform new approaches to treating cognitive symptoms in autism and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that acetylcholine-based circuits regulate learning flexibility in animal models, supporting the potential for translational relevance, though this specific setup is innovative.
Where this research is happening
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New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villarin, Joseph Manuel — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Villarin, Joseph Manuel
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.