Investigating how brain immune cells interact with synapses during development and disease
Official title: Defining the interactions between microglia and synapses in brain development and disease
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10883641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain immune cells called microglia help build connections between brain cells, which is important for healthy brain function, and it uses zebrafish to see how these cells might be involved in conditions like epilepsy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $117,504 |
| NIH project number | 5K99NS130018-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related neurological conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological disorders not related to synaptic dysfunction or those over 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of microglia, the immune cells in the brain, in the development of synapses, which are crucial for normal brain function. Using a zebrafish model, the study aims to observe how microglia interact with synapses in real-time and how these interactions may contribute to conditions like epilepsy. The research will involve advanced techniques such as live imaging and gene deletion to explore the effects of microglial activity on synaptic health and neuronal excitability. By examining these processes, the research seeks to uncover new insights into brain development and potential therapeutic targets for related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating neurological disorders associated with synaptic dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding microglial functions in other models, but this specific approach using zebrafish is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Silva, Nicholas Jeremy — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Silva, Nicholas Jeremy
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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.