How brain support cells' internal clocks shape day–night brain signaling
Official title: Regulation of Synaptic Rhythmicity by Astrocytic Clock
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11378867 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether internal clocks in brain support cells help keep synapses working and influence memory in people with Alzheimer's disease or disrupted sleep‑wake cycles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,057 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS133047-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378867 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with early Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or chronic circadian disruption (for example from shift work) would be the most relevant candidates for future human studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without brain-related sleep or memory problems, or those with very advanced dementia, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research in the near term.
What this research studies
This research looks at how the internal "clock" inside astrocytes — the brain cells that support neurons — controls daily rhythms in synapse strength and signaling. Scientists will use laboratory models and molecular tools to track clock genes (like ARNTL) and synaptic proteins (such as AMPA receptors) across the day–night cycle. They will link those findings to Alzheimer’s-related changes in memory by comparing clock-driven synaptic rhythms with features seen in dementia models and human disease markers. Any human sample collection or patient involvement would be limited and handled at Texas A&M under approved protocols.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect memory by targeting astrocyte clocks or timing treatments to when synapses are most receptive.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and cell studies link circadian rhythms to memory and synaptic changes, but focusing specifically on astrocyte clocks as a therapeutic target is relatively new and mostly preclinical.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farhy, Isabella — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Farhy, Isabella
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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.