How nerve signals affect the development of brain cells
Official title: Axonal signaling regulating oligodendrocyte differentiation
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10986671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in nerve activity affect the growth of important brain cells that help with myelination, which is essential for healthy brain function, and it's being done in mice to better understand how these processes work during early brain development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $444,599 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS135041-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting myelination or brain development, particularly those with early developmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed nervous systems or those not affected by myelination issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in nerve activity influence the development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which are crucial for myelination in the brain. Using a specialized technique called DREADD, researchers will manipulate neuronal activity in mice to observe its effects on the growth and differentiation of these cells in the corpus callosum and cortex. By analyzing gene expression changes through advanced sequencing methods, the study aims to clarify the role of neuronal activity during early brain development and its impact on cell maturation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into brain development and potential therapies for conditions related to myelination.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of manipulating neuronal activity is established, the specific findings regarding premature differentiation in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are novel and not extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macklin, Wendy B — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Macklin, Wendy B
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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.