How Neuroligin‑4 shapes nerve connections in the human brain
Cellular Mechanisms of Neuroligin-4 Gene in Human Neurons
Researchers will use human stem-cell derived brain cells to learn how the protein Neuroligin‑4 helps form and balance excitatory and inhibitory synapses in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11242037 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project grows human stem cells into specific types of neurons in the lab so the team can study Neuroligin‑4 in a human cellular context. Scientists will modify parts of the Neuroligin‑4 protein and examine how those changes affect synapse development, trafficking, and maturation. They will also search for proteins and chemical modifications that bind to Neuroligin‑4 and control its function. The approach focuses on human-specific features that are not well modeled in rodents, aiming to explain how Neuroligin‑4 influences brain wiring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People or families affected by neurodevelopmental conditions tied to Neuroligin‑4 or those interested in genetic causes of synaptic disorders would be most closely connected to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated health conditions (for example, heart disease or injuries unrelated to brain synapses) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could clarify how Neuroligin‑4 controls synapses and point to new targets for understanding or treating neurodevelopmental disorders linked to this protein.
How similar studies have performed: Studies of other neuroligin family members in animals have shown roles in synapse formation, but studying human NLGN4 in human neurons is relatively new because the human sequence differs from rodents.
Where this research is happening
Fort Collins, United States
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chanda, Soham — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Chanda, Soham
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.