How SYNGAP1 affects early brain development in autism and related disorders
Official title: Non-synaptic function of Syngap1 in human neurodevelopmental disorders
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11292388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how changes in the SYNGAP1 gene alter early brain cell behavior in people with autism, schizophrenia, or intellectual disability.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $679,807 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH138371-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11292388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People known to carry SYNGAP1 genetic variants, or families affected by SYNGAP1-related autism, schizophrenia, or intellectual disability who can provide genetic or cell samples, are most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose conditions are not linked to SYNGAP1 mutations or those seeking immediate clinical therapies are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic lab-focused research.
What this research studies
The team grows miniature human cortical brain tissue from stem cells and introduces changes in SYNGAP1 that have been found in people with neurodevelopmental conditions. They focus on early neural progenitor cells, where SYNGAP1 appears to shape how and when these cells divide and turn into neurons. The lab also compares findings in mouse embryos to see which effects are conserved across species. By linking specific mutations and protein domains to cellular changes, they hope to explain how SYNGAP1 changes lead to altered brain development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how SYNGAP1 mutations disrupt early brain development and point to targets or time-windows for future treatments or diagnostics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and organoid research has linked SYNGAP1 to synaptic problems and neurodevelopmental outcomes, but the emphasis on early, non-synaptic roles in human progenitor cells is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quadrato, Giorgia — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Quadrato, Giorgia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Intergenerational factors in neurodevelopmental disorders
This project looks at how experiences before and during pregnancy across generations may influence the risk of neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, autism, and related disorders in grandchildren.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
-
Clinical Translational Research Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
A funded center supports research on neurodevelopmental disorders like Angelman syndrome and autism to better understand causes and improve treatments for children.
-
Synaptic nanostructure in neurodevelopmental disorders
This project aims to map the tiny architecture of brain synapses in native cells to understand how connections form and change in neurodevelopmental disorders.
-
Maternal acetaminophen use in pregnancy and ADHD risk in children
A large study will follow thousands of mother-child pairs to see if taking acetaminophen during pregnancy relates to ADHD in kids.
-
GDF11’s role in brain development and autism-related disorders
A new NIH grant tests whether adjusting a growth factor called GDF11 can improve brain function and behaviors in models related to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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.