How nerve-cell branches grow, work, break, and repair
Dendrite development, function, degeneration and regeneration
This work looks at how tiny branches on nerve cells form and recover, with the goal of helping people with autism and related brain conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as a patient, scientists are using fruit flies to learn which genes and molecules shape the branching of nerve cells (dendrites). They examine how dendrites form during development, how they support nerve function, and what happens when they degenerate and try to regrow. The lab uses genetic tools, imaging, and comparisons to mammals to find mechanisms that are shared across species. Findings in flies may point to targets that could eventually be tested in people with autism or other neurological disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; its results are most relevant to people with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental conditions linked to dendrite abnormalities.
Not a fit: People looking for an immediate clinical treatment or a trial to join should not expect direct benefit now, because the work is basic lab research in fruit flies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new biological targets that might eventually lead to treatments that improve neural wiring and symptoms in autism and related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using fruit flies has uncovered genes and mechanisms conserved in mammals, advancing basic understanding but with clinical translation still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jan, Yuh Nung — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Jan, Yuh Nung
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.