How newborn olfactory neurons integrate into the brain's circuits
Official title: Functional integration of newborn olfactory sensory neurons in the healthy and regenerating olfactory system
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11221046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how new smell-related brain cells grow and connect in both healthy and recovering brains, which could help improve treatments for people with brain injuries or conditions that affect their sense of smell.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $46,060 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DC018516-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11221046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with acquired brain injuries or neurodegenerative conditions who may benefit from advancements in neuronal repair strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to olfactory sensory neuron function or those who are not within the age range of 21 years and older may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how newly generated olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) integrate into the brain's neural circuits, particularly focusing on their development and functionality in both healthy and regenerating olfactory systems. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to understand the role of sensory input in the survival and integration of these neurons during their early development. The research could lead to insights on how to enhance brain repair strategies using stem cell-derived neurons for individuals with brain injuries or degenerative conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new strategies for repairing damaged brain areas, potentially improving outcomes for patients with brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding neuronal integration and repair mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheetham, Claire Elizabeth Jane — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Cheetham, Claire Elizabeth Jane
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adaptive e-learning and smartphones to improve newborn and child care in Tanzania
A new program uses smart devices and tailored online learning to help frontline health workers in Mwanza, Tanzania provide better care for newborns and young children.
-
NoviGuide for Newborn Care in Pakistan
A small NIH grant to test a pocket-sized decision support tool for nurses and doctors to improve newborn care in Pakistan.
-
Newborn screening: using gene and metabolite data to refine true vs false positives
A study using genetic and metabolomic data from newborn blood spots to better distinguish real metabolic disorders from false alarms.
-
Evidence-based practices for managing neonatal hypothermia in newborn nurseries
A doctor-led project will study how common newborn hypothermia affects babies in US nurseries and develop trusted guidelines to improve care.
-
Agricultural livelihoods to improve health for pregnant women with HIV in Kenya
A pregnancy-starting program in Kenya tests whether helping families grow food and earn income can improve the health and nutrition of mothers and their babies, especially for women living with HIV.
-
Agricultural livelihood support for pregnant women and newborns in Kenya
Compares agricultural livelihood support to usual care to help pregnant women in Kenya—including those living with HIV—have better nutrition and healthier newborns.
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.