How a small hippocampus region (CA2) and a potassium channel affect social memory in 22q11.2-related psychiatric conditions
Hippocampal CA2 sharp wave ripple oscillations in neuropsychiatric disease
This project looks at whether abnormal activity in a tiny part of the hippocampus (CA2) and a potassium channel called TREK-1 cause social memory problems in people with 22q11.2-related psychiatric conditions and whether fixing that activity can restore social behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228395 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a family member have 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or related psychiatric symptoms, researchers are exploring how cells in a small hippocampus region called CA2 support remembering and recognizing other people. They use a mouse model carrying the same 22q11.2 deletion to record CA2 neuron activity during social encounters and to test whether the neurons respond differently to new versus familiar mice. The team gives drugs or genetic treatments that block the TREK-1 potassium channel and watches whether CA2 activity and social memory improve. They are also studying molecular regulators such as Mirta22/Emc10 that may drive the neuronal changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, or patients with psychiatric illness who have prominent social memory or social behavior problems, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are unrelated to social memory or hippocampal CA2 dysfunction, or those without psychiatric social deficits, are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug or brain-stimulation targets to improve social memory and social behavior for people with 22q11.2-related conditions and possibly other psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have established that CA2 is important for social memory and that blocking TREK-1 can restore social behavior in mouse models, but translating these findings to humans has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siegelbaum, Steven a — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Siegelbaum, Steven a
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.