Encouraging new brain cells after adult brain injury
Neurogenesis in the adult Drosophila brain
This research explores how adult brains might regrow neurons after injury by studying regeneration in fruit flies to guide future treatments for people with acquired brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252810 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use adult fruit flies as a genetic model to see how cells in the mature brain divide and become new neurons and glia after injury. They create controlled brain injuries in flies, follow the birth of new cells, and track whether those cells grow axons and dendrites and reconnect into circuits. The team tests which molecular signals control this adult neurogenesis and whether new neurons help restore behavior. Results aim to point to biological targets that could be used to promote regeneration in human brains after injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have experienced an acquired brain injury are the population most likely to benefit from findings and could be future candidates for related therapies.
Not a fit: People without brain injury or children (under 21) are unlikely to directly benefit from this fly-based research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal signals that allow the adult human brain to regrow neurons after injury, opening paths to therapies that improve recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Related work in fruit flies has already shown adult-born neurons and some behavioral recovery, but translating those findings to mammals and humans remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boekhoff-Falk, Grace E — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Boekhoff-Falk, Grace E
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 below.