Investigating how GABA and glutamate work together in a brain region related to motivation and reward.
Official title: The function of GABA/glutamate co-release in the habenula
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10986143 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two brain chemicals, GABA and glutamate, work together in a part of the brain that helps with motivation and feelings of reward, to see how they affect our reactions to good and bad experiences, which could help us understand issues like addiction and depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $480,993 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132797-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986143 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals struggling with addiction or depression who may benefit from new therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to neurotransmitter imbalances or those not experiencing addiction or depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the balance between two important neurotransmitters, GABA and glutamate, in the lateral habenula, a brain area involved in motivation and reward processing. The study aims to understand how these neurotransmitters co-release from specific brain inputs affects motivation and responses to positive and negative feedback. By using animal models, researchers will manipulate these neurotransmitter signals to observe changes in behavior and brain activity. The findings could provide insights into conditions like addiction and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for addiction and depression by targeting the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that manipulating neurotransmitter balance can lead to significant behavioral changes, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shabel, Steven — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shabel, Steven
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.