How the SCN2A gene affects brain wiring and myelin in autism
Role of SCN2A in Myelination and Neural Circuit Development in Autism Spectrum Disorder
This research looks at how changes in the SCN2A gene affect nerve insulation and sound-processing in people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180978 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how the SCN2A gene affects myelin (the insulation around nerve fibers) and the development of brain circuits that support hearing and attention in autism. They will use a combination of laboratory models, analysis of human brain data, and tissue studies to examine how myelin-producing cells respond to neuronal activity. The team is focusing on a subgroup of myelin cells that can be electrically active and may change how signals travel in the auditory brainstem. By linking genetic changes to circuit-level and hearing-related differences, the work aims to explain some common sensory symptoms in autism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autism, especially those with known SCN2A gene changes or prominent auditory processing or attention difficulties, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without autism or without SCN2A-related biology — and those seeking immediate clinical treatments — are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new biological targets to improve hearing, attention, and communication challenges in people with autism.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human tissue studies have shown that myelination changes can alter auditory circuits, but focusing on excitable oligodendrocytes and SCN2A is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jun Hee — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jun Hee
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.