NF1 gene regulation in brain development and its link to autism
Official title: Nuclear Factor One (NF1) gene regulation of cortical development
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11605222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant aims to understand how NF1 family genes control when and how brain cells form, which could shed light on autism-related development issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $544,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R56NS144737-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11605222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders related to NFIA/NFIB/NFIX haploinsufficiency who may benefit from advances in understanding brain development.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without neurodevelopmental concerns may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how early brain cells become the diverse neurons needed for healthy brain circuits, focusing on NFIA, NFIB, NFIX and Tcf4. Researchers will use mouse models to study how these genes influence timing, differentiation, and maturation of brain cells during development. By linking gene function to human neurodevelopmental syndromes associated with autism, the work seeks to reveal mechanisms that could later inform therapies. The study is grounded in developmental biology with potential relevance to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders seen in autistic individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these gene pathways could inform future interventions for autism linked to neurodevelopmental gene regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Mouse models have replicated several features of human NF1-related syndromes, supporting the translational potential of this line of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richards, Linda J — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Richards, Linda J
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.