Developing tools to control specific brain connections with drugs
Official title: Molecular tools for precise manipulation of defined synaptic connections
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11127694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new genetic tools that use drugs to help scientists control how brain cells connect and communicate, which could lead to better ways to understand and treat brain disorders, and it's being done in mice to see how well these tools work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,290,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135934-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with addiction or anxiety disorders who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to addiction or anxiety disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating advanced genetic tools that allow for precise control of synaptic connections in the brain using drugs. By engineering tools that can be activated only at specific cell contact sites, the researchers aim to manipulate neuronal communication in a targeted manner. The project will explore different mechanisms and timescales for activating these tools, which could lead to significant advancements in understanding brain function and treating neurological disorders. The research will be conducted in mouse models to validate the effectiveness of these tools in real-time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for addiction and anxiety disorders by enabling targeted manipulation of brain circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar genetic manipulation tools in neuroscience, indicating a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Alice Y — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Ting, Alice Y
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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.