Investigating how certain brain cells respond to psychedelic drugs.
Official title: Role of cortical GABAergic interneurons in psychedelic drug action
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10941139 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells might affect how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin work, especially in helping people with depression, by testing these ideas in mice to see how the brain changes and responds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $627,945 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH137047-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10941139 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from mental health conditions, particularly those who may benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have mental health conditions or those who are not responsive to psychedelic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of GABAergic interneurons in the brain and how they may influence the effects of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, which have shown promise in treating mental health conditions such as depression. By studying these specific brain cells in mice, researchers aim to understand how they respond to psilocybin and whether they play a role in promoting neural plasticity and behavioral changes. The study involves advanced techniques like cell type-specific electrophysiology to measure brain activity and the effects of serotonin receptors on these interneurons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for mental health disorders by enhancing our understanding of how psychedelics work in the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with psychedelics in treating mental health issues, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwan, Chun-Hay Alex — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Kwan, Chun-Hay Alex
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.