Investigating how specific brain circuits affect cognitive and emotional functions.
Official title: Compartment-specific inhibition and laminar circuit dynamics in the primate prefrontal cortex.
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11060178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help control thinking and emotions, which could help us understand conditions like schizophrenia and mood disorders, and it's being done with rhesus macaques to learn more about how these brain circuits work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F30MH136779-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 15 years of age who are experiencing cognitive or emotional disturbances related to neuropsychiatric conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to GABAergic dysfunction or those over the age of 15 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for cognitive and emotional regulation. By examining the lateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex in rhesus macaques, the study aims to uncover how different types of inhibitory neurons influence brain activity and contribute to conditions like schizophrenia and mood disorders. The methodology involves comparing the properties of dendritic inhibition on pyramidal cells, which may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders. This research could lead to a better understanding of how brain circuits operate and how they can be targeted for therapeutic interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for cognitive and emotional disturbances associated with schizophrenia and mood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding GABAergic dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snyder, Benjamin James — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Snyder, Benjamin James
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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.