How the brain receptor IL-1R1 may shape social behavior
Official title: Neuroinflammation, neuronal IL-1R1, and behavior
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11304273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether a brain receptor called IL-1R1 changes nerve cell connections and social behavior in ways that may matter for people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $486,158 |
| NIH project number | 2R01NS116914-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autism spectrum disorder, especially adults who experience social discrimination or social interaction difficulties, would be the most relevant group for eventual applications.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking immediate clinical treatments or children with autism are unlikely to receive direct benefit because this is basic laboratory research rather than a treatment trial.
What this research studies
You can think of this work as studying how a specific brain receptor, IL-1R1, influences the wiring and plasticity of circuits that control social behavior. The team will map when and where IL-1R1 is turned on in brain regions such as the hippocampus and dentate granule cells. They will use viral tools (AAV vectors) to change IL-1R1 in targeted neurons, record synaptic activity, and observe resulting changes in animal social behavior. Findings will link circuit and synapse changes to social discrimination tasks relevant to autism-related behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could point to new molecular or circuit targets for therapies to improve social behavior in autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have tied IL-1 signaling to stress responses and behavior, but targeting neuronal IL-1R1 in specific circuits for autism-related social effects is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quan, Ning — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Quan, Ning
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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.