Developing new treatments to enhance cognitive function in schizophrenia
Official title: A preclinical therapeutic platform to develop GABAA alpha5 receptor positive allosteric modulators to improve cognitive function in schizophrenia
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10985723 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to help improve thinking and memory for people with schizophrenia by focusing on a specific brain receptor, hoping to find treatments that can make a real difference in their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $245,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH136532-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10985723 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 12-20 who are diagnosed with schizophrenia and experience cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have schizophrenia or those whose cognitive impairments are due to other conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create new therapeutic options for improving cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia, particularly focusing on the GABAA alpha5 receptor. By addressing the imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, the study seeks to develop positive allosteric modulators that can enhance cognitive abilities. The approach involves using small molecules that specifically target the GABAA alpha5 receptors in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and cognition. Through preclinical testing, the researchers hope to identify effective treatments that can be translated into clinical use for patients suffering from cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new medications that significantly improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting GABAA receptors for cognitive enhancement, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koh, Ming Teng — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Koh, Ming Teng
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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.