Mapping the connections in the mouse brain to understand memory and navigation.
Official title: BRAIN CONNECTS: A Center for High-throughput Integrative Mouse Connectomics
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-10923921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about mapping the connections in the mouse brain to help us understand how we remember things and find our way around, which could eventually lead to new insights for conditions like Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,335,651 |
| NIH project number | 5UM1NS132250-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with early signs of Alzheimer's disease or those at risk for developing cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a detailed map of the mouse brain's connections at the synapse level, which is crucial for understanding how memory and spatial navigation work. By using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers will analyze a significant portion of the brain, focusing on the hippocampal formation, a key area for these functions. The project involves cutting the brain into thin sections and imaging them to build a comprehensive connectome, which will help in identifying various brain elements like neurons and synapses. This innovative approach could lead to breakthroughs in understanding brain connectivity and its implications for diseases like Alzheimer's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into the brain's connectivity that may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in mapping brain connectivity using advanced imaging techniques, indicating a promising path for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lichtman, Jeff W — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Lichtman, Jeff W
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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.