NIH-funded research R21 grant

Investigating how different serotonin receptor variants affect behavior and health.

Official title: Trafficking properties of the serotonin receptor variants

Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10894153 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how different types of serotonin receptors in our brains affect behaviors and conditions like depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, with the goal of helping patients understand how serotonin influences their treatment and overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$190,518
NIH project number5R21DA058216-02
Project IDNIH-10894153 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 21 and older who are experiencing mood disorders, ADHD, or related conditions.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions unrelated to serotonin signaling or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores the role of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter, in various human behaviors and physiological functions. It focuses on how different variants of serotonin receptors influence conditions such as depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. By examining the signaling pathways activated by these receptors, the study aims to uncover the complex mechanisms behind the effectiveness of common antidepressants. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how serotonin impacts their conditions and treatment responses.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for mood and behavioral disorders by targeting specific serotonin receptor variants.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding serotonin's role in mood disorders, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California at Davis
    Davis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Whistler, Jennifer L — University of California at Davis
  • Study coordinator: Whistler, Jennifer L

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • UC Davis IGA Innovation Center

    A research center at UC Davis will study gene-edited livestock to improve animal health, safety, and policy through sharing genetic data and findings about genome edits in cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11641870

  • Administrative Core of an equitable breast cancer screening program

    A national program headed from UC Davis is coordinating several research efforts to improve how breast cancer screening is done in community settings.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11622111

  • The role of novelty and surprise in learning for people with Alzheimer’s disease

    A study explores how surprising events affect memory and learning in people related to Alzheimer’s disease, using everyday tasks to see how the brain remembers new information.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11617755

  • Understanding how distraction affects students and how to measure it better

    This grant studies why distracted students, including those with ADHD, struggle in real-life learning and tests a clearer way to measure distraction in everyday settings.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11617018

  • California Partnership for Personalized Nutrition

    A California clinical center is testing personalized dietary approaches to improve blood sugar and health for adults with diabetes by using big data and AI to tailor meals.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11605720

  • Advancing gastric cancer care for Latinos through patient-derived tumor models

    Aimed at Latinos with gastric cancer, this project uses patient-derived tumor models to study how cancer biology and treatments work in real tumors.

    NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11603175

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.