Investigating how serotonin affects brain development and plasticity during critical growth periods.
Official title: Cell-type Specific Roles for H3 Serotonylation During Critical Periods of Postnatal Brain Development and Plasticity
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11075552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how serotonin, a chemical in the brain, helps with brain development and changes, especially during important growth periods, and it aims to understand how this affects mood and behavior as we grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F99NS139541-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 12 years and older who may be experiencing mood or affective disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no history of mood or affective disorders or those outside the age range of 12 years and older may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of serotonin in brain development and plasticity, particularly focusing on a specific chemical modification called H3 serotonylation. By studying mouse models, the researchers aim to understand how serotonin interacts with brain cells during critical periods of postnatal development and how environmental factors may influence this process. The study employs advanced techniques to analyze changes in gene expression linked to serotonin's effects on different cell types in the brain. This could provide insights into how serotonin impacts mood and behavior during adolescence and adulthood.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new understanding and treatments for mood and stress-related disorders in young people and adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of studying H3 serotonylation in this context is novel, related research has shown that serotonin plays a crucial role in brain development and function.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cunningham, Ashley — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Cunningham, Ashley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genetically Validated PCOS Subtypes for Better Diagnosis and Risk Stratification
Aimed at women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this project uses genetic data and patient characteristics to define distinct PCOS subtypes and improve how we diagnose and estimate risk.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Understanding why some brain regions and cells accumulate tau in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Researchers are studying why certain brain areas and neuron types accumulate tau protein in Alzheimer’s and related conditions, and how this leads to brain changes and symptoms.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
-
Aging and brain injury connection: learning how late-life TBI relates to Alzheimer’s and related dementias
This grant looks at whether traumatic brain injuries in people 65 and older are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, using a large, harmonized set of long-term aging studies.
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.