How calcium release in brain cell branches affects learning
Defining the Circuit, Synaptic, and Molecular Mechanisms Linking Intracellular Ca2+ Release to Learning Using Subcellularly-Targeted Manipulations and Imaging Techniques in Dendrites in Vivo
This project looks at whether tiny bursts of calcium inside parts of brain cells help animals learn by using advanced imaging in mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136404 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how tiny calcium releases inside dendrites (the branching parts of nerve cells) help form memories. Researchers use two-photon imaging in live mice to watch calcium both in the cell fluid and in the endoplasmic reticulum while animals perform simple navigation tasks. They combine these observations with precise, subcellular manipulations that turn those calcium signals on or off in single neurons to see how that changes neural activity and behavior. By linking microscopic calcium events to circuit activity, the team aims to reveal mechanisms that could be relevant to memory problems such as those seen in Alzheimer's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is preclinical laboratory research in mice and does not enroll or treat human patients.
Not a fit: Patients seeking direct treatment should not expect immediate benefit because this is basic, animal-based research rather than a clinical trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify cellular mechanisms or targets that inform future therapies to protect or restore memory function.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have suggested intracellular Ca2+ release helps synaptic plasticity, but combining subcellular manipulations with in vivo dual-color two-photon imaging at this scale is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'hare, Justin — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: O'hare, Justin
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.