Mapping electrically connected networks in the brain’s TRN
Official title: Identifying Electrically Coupled Networks in vitro
Funded at Lehigh University · NIH-11320752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will map how electrically connected neurons in a key brain region (the thalamic reticular nucleus) coordinate attention and sensory processing, which could affect conditions like absence seizures and ADHD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lehigh University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethlehem, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $387,311 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128713-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with absence epilepsy or ADHD may indirectly benefit from advances in this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
People without epilepsy or attention-related disorders may see indirect long-term benefits but not direct clinical outcomes from this study.
What this research studies
This project aims to chart the networks of electrically connected neurons in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) using advanced optogenetic and precise light-based stimulation in live tissue. By defining which GABAergic neurons are linked together and how they influence thalamocortical signaling, the study seeks to reveal how attention and sensory gating are controlled at the circuit level. The findings could illuminate mechanisms behind sleep spindles, absence seizures, and attention-related disorders, potentially guiding new therapeutic approaches. The work focuses on neuron-to-neuron connectivity rather than just single pairs, offering a broader view of how networks sustain brain rhythms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of TRN networks could lead to new strategies for treating absence epilepsy and attentional disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches have mapped neural networks in targeted brain regions and have provided novel insights into circuit function.
Where this research is happening
-
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haas, Julie S — Lehigh University
- Study coordinator: Haas, Julie S
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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.