Blood-brain barrier leak and inflammation in schizophrenia and dopamine changes
Official title: Blood-Brain Barrier Leakiness and Inflammation in Schizophrenia: Implications for Dopamine Alterations
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11340762 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A NIH-supported project will study brain tissue from people with schizophrenia to understand how inflammation affects the barrier between the blood and brain and how this relates to dopamine changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | July 24, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $807,460 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH143963-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340762 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with schizophrenia or related neuroinflammatory conditions who may contribute brain tissue samples or participate in studies connected to biomarker discovery.
✕Less likely to help
People without schizophrenia or related inflammatory brain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at brain tissue from people with schizophrenia to map how inflammation may weaken the blood-brain barrier and harm dopamine neurons. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers will identify communication signals between resident brain immune cells and invading immune cells that drive damage. They will examine how endothelial cells change during brain inflammation and seek biomarkers in blood that reflect brain inflammation and barrier status. The work aims to link central brain changes with peripheral blood measures to find new targets to strengthen the barrier and potentially improve symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to biomarkers and new treatments that protect the brain barrier and stabilize dopamine function in schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown links between neuroinflammation and BBB changes in schizophrenia, with some biomarker findings supporting this approach; this study aims to extend those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weickert, Cynthia Shannon — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Weickert, Cynthia Shannon
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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.