Cortical circuit problems in Fragile X mice and people
Official title: Synaptic, microcircuit and network mechanisms of cortical dysfunction in mouse models of Fragile X Syndrome
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11419234 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how brain circuits go awry in Fragile X syndrome by comparing mice and people to understand why certain brain rhythms and responses are altered.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $691,960 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD118717-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419234 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Fragile X syndrome or related brain rhythm abnormalities, and those who could participate in future studies translating mouse findings to humans.
✕Less likely to help
People without Fragile X or related EEG abnormalities may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how fragile X-related changes in brain cells affect neural circuits and rhythms. Using a mouse model, the team investigates why gamma brain activity is heightened and how sensory processing becomes less coordinated. They connect these animal findings to similar EEG patterns seen in people with Fragile X syndrome to uncover shared mechanisms. The research combines detailed brain slice studies with in vivo recordings to map circuit changes to specific EEG features.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of Fragile X syndrome could lead to targets for therapies that normalize brain rhythms and improve sensory processing.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in Fragile X models has shown conserved EEG and circuit features between mice and humans, supporting this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huber, Kimberly M. — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Huber, Kimberly M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Fragile X Syndrome: How it progresses and affects daily life
A long-term study using existing Fragile X data to map how the condition changes over time in children and young adults, including how autism, race, and location influence outcomes.
-
Sleep and mood links in Fragile X Syndrome
A short, patient-friendly study to understand how sleep problems relate to mood and depressive symptoms in people with Fragile X–linked autism.
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Connecting 3D genome misfolding to gene silencing in Fragile X syndrome
A study in people with Fragile X syndrome focuses on how 3D genome folding errors may turn off important genes, contributing to the condition’s features.
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Brain biology in fragile X syndrome: how brain signals unfold and vary in patients
This grant supports research to understand brain signals and why symptoms vary in people with fragile X syndrome, aiming to translate findings into better care.
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Brain research on Fragile X Syndrome to improve therapies
A multi-year program studies brain function and differences in Fragile X Syndrome to help develop better treatments for people with FXS.
-
Understanding anxiety in Fragile X syndrome across childhood
A study follows children and young people with Fragile X syndrome to understand how anxiety starts, stays, and what predicts it over time.
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.