How zinc at brain synapses shapes thinking and behavior in autism
Official title: The effects of synaptically released zinc on neuronal processing and brain function
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11393653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how zinc released at brain connections influences brain signaling and may relate to autism-related brain changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $618,864 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM138023-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders or related neurodevelopmental conditions may benefit from advances in this research.
✕Less likely to help
If zinc signaling mechanisms do not translate to clinical therapies, some patients may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
The project looks at zinc in the brain, how it’s loaded into nerve terminals, and how it affects synaptic signaling in regions like the cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia. Researchers use animal models lacking synaptic zinc to understand resulting cognitive and sensory changes and apply these insights to human neurological conditions linked to zinc transporters. The long-term goal is to uncover mechanisms by which zinc in the brain shapes neural processing and contributes to behaviors seen in autism and related disorders. Findings could point to new directions for understanding brain function and potential interventions for autism-related symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how brain zinc affects neural processing could inform future therapies for autism and other brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that zinc signaling influences cognitive and sensory processing, supporting the plausibility of similar mechanisms in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Charles — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Charles
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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.