Investigating how specific brain cell signaling affects behavior in schizophrenia
Official title: The role of nigrostriatal and striatal cell subtype signaling in behavioral impairments related to schizophrenia
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10893962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain receptors related to dopamine might affect the thinking and social challenges faced by people with schizophrenia, with the hope of finding better treatments for symptoms that current medications don't fully help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $44,187 |
| NIH project number | 5F31MH134549-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience negative and cognitive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with schizophrenia who primarily exhibit positive symptoms and respond well to current antipsychotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of different dopamine receptors in the brain, particularly focusing on how they may influence negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. The study aims to understand the specific contributions of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in the striatum, which may lead to better-targeted treatments for patients. By using a novel approach to mimic dopamine signaling patterns seen in schizophrenia, the research seeks to uncover new insights into how these signaling pathways affect social and cognitive functions. Patients may benefit from findings that could lead to improved therapies for symptoms that current antipsychotic medications do not adequately address.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting specific dopamine receptors is being explored, this particular investigation into D1 receptor signaling in relation to cognitive and negative symptoms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moya, Nicolette a — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Moya, Nicolette a
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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.