How brain wiring shapes the teenage prefrontal cortex
Afferent Regulation of Prefrontal Maturation during Adolescence
This project looks at how signals from the hippocampus and amygdala help the teen brain's prefrontal cortex mature, which could affect risk for psychiatric conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11360118 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how incoming signals to the prefrontal cortex guide its development during adolescence. They use input-specific chemogenetic tools in animal models to turn on or off hippocampal and amygdala connections and then measure changes in inhibitory (GABA) and excitatory (NMDA receptor) function. The team aims to identify sensitive developmental windows and circuit changes that could underlie the onset of mood and psychotic disorders. Findings are intended to point to targets or timing for future prevention or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Teens and young adults at risk for or experiencing early symptoms of psychiatric disorders (such as depression, anxiety, or early psychosis) would be the most relevant group for future clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: People with non-neuropsychiatric conditions or much older adults are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical, adolescent-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal circuit changes in adolescence that lead to better prevention, timing, or treatments for teen-onset psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have linked GABA and NMDA receptor changes to prefrontal maturation, but using input-specific chemogenetics to map hippocampus–amygdala contributions during adolescence is a more novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan
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.