Context-dependent disease mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disorders (16p11.2)
Official title: Context-dependent disease mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11366753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A human-cell study from UCLA will explore how genetic risk for autism and ADHD affects early brain development, using patient-derived stem cells to test how cells respond to developmental signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $764,785 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH140813-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD, who carry the 16p11.2 deletion or related genetic risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the 16p11.2 deletion or similar genetic risk may not directly benefit from this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project uses a novel stem cell platform called the cell village to study fetal brain cells carrying the 16p11.2 risk deletion. Researchers will expose these cells to key developmental signals and measure molecular and cellular responses to understand context-dependent disease mechanisms. The goal is to uncover signatures and pathways that underlie neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD, with a focus on how genetic risk shapes early brain development. The work is designed to connect basic biology to potential future interventions by revealing when and how these pathways go awry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding context-specific brain development in people with 16p11.2 deletions could guide new approaches to early diagnosis and targeted therapies for autism and ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked 16p11.2 deletions to neurodevelopmental changes; this project builds on that by testing responses to developmental signals in a high-throughput human cell platform.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wells, Michael Frederick — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wells, Michael Frederick
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intergenerational factors in neurodevelopmental disorders
This project looks at how experiences before and during pregnancy across generations may influence the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, autism, and related disorders in grandchildren.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
-
Clinical Translational Research Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A funded center supports research on neurodevelopmental disorders like Angelman syndrome and autism to better understand causes and improve treatments for children.
-
Synaptic nanostructure in neurodevelopmental disorders
This project aims to map the tiny architecture of brain synapses in native cells to understand how connections form and change in neurodevelopmental disorders.
-
Maternal acetaminophen use in pregnancy and ADHD risk in children
A large study will follow thousands of mother-child pairs to see if taking acetaminophen during pregnancy relates to ADHD in kids.
-
GDF11’s role in brain development and autism-related disorders
A new NIH grant tests whether adjusting a growth factor called GDF11 can improve brain function and behaviors in models related to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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.