How brain mechanisms help maintain stable behaviors
Homeostatic plasticity mechanisms regulate behavior in vivo
This study looks at how brain cells in frogs help keep their breathing steady, even when they go through changes, to learn more about how this might help people with conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10579955 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how neurons in the brain adjust their activity to maintain stable behaviors over time, particularly in the context of neurological disorders. By studying the respiratory motor system in frogs, which hibernate and experience periods of inactivity, the researchers aim to understand how homeostatic plasticity allows these neurons to compensate for changes and stabilize function. The study employs innovative models to explore the relationship between neuronal adjustments and behavior, providing insights that could be relevant to human conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old, particularly those affected by Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to homeostatic plasticity or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating neurological disorders by enhancing our understanding of how to stabilize brain function.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using frogs to study homeostatic plasticity is novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding neuronal behavior in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of Missouri-Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santin, Joseph M — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Santin, Joseph M
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.