Investigating neurons derived from olfactory cells to understand schizophrenia
Official title: Olfactory neuroepithelial cell derived induced neurons for study of schizophrenia
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-10747189 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to turn special cells from the nose into brain cells that can help us understand schizophrenia better, which could lead to new insights about the condition and how it affects people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $475,813 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH132097-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10747189 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or those with a family history of the disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or related psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to create neurons directly from olfactory neuroepithelial cells, which may better reflect the genetic and epigenetic characteristics of individuals with schizophrenia. By bypassing the stem cell stage, these directly-converted induced neurons (DCiNs) aim to provide a more accurate model for studying the neurobiological aspects of schizophrenia. The project will assess how well these neurons can replicate the complex features of the illness, potentially leading to better insights into its pathophysiology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of induced neurons for studying psychiatric disorders is gaining traction, this specific approach using olfactory neuroepithelial cells is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hahn, Chang-Gyu — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Hahn, Chang-Gyu
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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.