NIH-funded research R01 grant

Exploring how brain receptor structures affect communication in different species

Official title: CRCNS: Linking receptorarchitecture and functional brain networks across species

Funded at Child Mind Institute, INC. · NIH-11083182 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain brain receptors affect communication in the brain across different animals, including humans, to help us better understand brain structure and function, which could lead to new insights into brain disorders.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChild Mind Institute, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$175,344
NIH project number1R01MH139349-01
Project IDNIH-11083182 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with neurological conditions or those interested in the biological basis of brain function.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions unrelated to brain receptor function or those not residing in the study's geographic area may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between neurotransmitter receptors in the brain and how they influence neural communication across various species, including humans and different types of monkeys and rats. By using advanced imaging techniques and algorithms, the study aims to create detailed 3D maps of receptor distribution and analyze how these structures correlate with brain function. The project will utilize data from multiple species to improve our understanding of brain architecture and its evolution, potentially leading to better insights into brain disorders.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain disorders and lead to improved treatment strategies for conditions affecting neural communication.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach of linking receptor architecture to brain function is innovative, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain disorders through cross-species comparisons.

Where this research is happening

  • Child Mind Institute, INC.
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Xu, Ting — Child Mind Institute, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Xu, Ting

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Connecting brain receptor maps with networks across species

    A multi-species study will map where neurotransmitter receptors sit in the brain and how that relates to brain networks, using humans and several animal models.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11379100

  • Connecting tiny brain structures to brain activity in humans and primates

    This project builds software tools that link small-scale brain structure to brain activity to help researchers understand brain function and disease.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11325436

  • Identifying brain-based autism subtypes

    Researchers are combining thousands of existing brain scans and clinical records from children and teens with and without autism to find consistent brain-connectivity patterns that might define different autism types.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11263648

  • How patterns of brain chemical receptors shape brain networks across species

    This project maps where chemical receptors sit in the brain and links those maps to brain activity in humans and several animal species to better understand how brains are organized.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11177058

  • Developing tools to connect brain structure with its function in humans and monkeys

    This study is looking at how tiny details in the brain's structure affect how it works, which could help us learn more about brain diseases and how medications work, and it's designed for anyone interested in brain health, including patients and their families.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11110841

  • Identifying brain-based subtypes of autism spectrum disorder

    This study is looking to better understand autism by grouping people with similar brain connections, which could help create more personalized treatments for those with autism.

    NIH research Child Mind Institute, INC. · New York, United States · NIH-11015027

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.