How mitochondrial function affects the blood-brain barrier and mental health conditions
Official title: Mitochondrial influences on blood brain barrier function and neuropsychiatric illness
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11062466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how energy problems in cells might affect the protective barrier in the brain for people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and it hopes to find out if fixing these energy issues can help improve brain health and reduce symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $572,619 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134893-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or related neuropsychiatric conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or those with unrelated neuropsychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between mitochondrial function and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a genetic condition linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. The study aims to understand how compromised mitochondrial energetics may lead to BBB dysfunction, which could exacerbate neuroinflammatory processes affecting brain health. By using advanced cell models and animal studies, the researchers will explore whether improving mitochondrial function can restore BBB integrity and potentially alleviate symptoms associated with this syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function to improve brain health in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggests that targeting mitochondrial function to improve BBB integrity has shown promise, indicating that this approach may be a novel and potentially effective strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alvarez, Jorge Ivan — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Alvarez, Jorge Ivan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Comparing universal and guideline-directed genetic testing for young adults with cancer
This study is looking at whether a broader genetic test can help young adults with cancer find inherited risks that regular tests might miss, so they can get better treatment and care tailored just for them.
-
Better, searchable data for human pain biology
A data integration center will standardize, combine, and share molecular and cellular data from human pain research to help scientists understand how pain works and to accelerate discoveries.
-
Understanding how sweat glands form and work to help burn and skin injury patients
A study at the University of Pennsylvania looks at how sweat glands develop and function, with the goal of informing treatments for people who suffer traumatic skin injuries.
-
Cardiovascular risk planning and reduction for men with prostate cancer
A program to better predict and reduce heart disease risk in men treated for prostate cancer, especially older patients.
-
Understanding how a special airway cell helps protect and repair breathing passages
A researcher is studying a newly found airway cell called the hillock to see how it protects the airways and helps repair them after injury, with the aim of helping people with asthma, COPD, or bronchiectasis.
-
Defining TMJ cartilage progenitors and their regulatory niche for TMJ regeneration
Researchers are studying the cells that could help repair the jaw’s cartilage in TMJ osteoarthritis to lay the groundwork for regenerative therapies.
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.