NMDA receptor control of rapid network changes in fragile X-related autism
Official title: NMDA receptor regulation of rapid scaling and spinal excitability in fragile X syndrome.
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11288244 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how NMDA receptors shape the fast changes in spinal networks that may contribute to autism spectrum disorder, using fragile X as a model.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS146918-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11288244 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those associated with fragile X syndrome, or parents/patients interested in how early brain development could influence future treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals without autism or fragile X features, or may influence future research rather than current care.
What this research studies
If you or someone you know has autism linked to fragile X, this study looks at how developing spinal networks adjust their activity through NMDA receptors. Researchers will study fast, homeostatic changes in synapses in neonatal mice to understand how excitatory and inhibitory signals balance during early development. The goal is to map which neuron types show this rapid scaling and how evenly it happens across the neural network. Findings could illuminate fundamental mechanisms of neural maturation that may go awry in autism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of early neural development could inform future therapies targeting network excitability in autism.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in chick and rodent models has shown rapid synaptic scaling, supporting the plausibility of this mechanism across species.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wenner, Peter a — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Wenner, Peter a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Fragile X Syndrome: How it progresses and affects daily life
A long-term study using existing Fragile X data to map how the condition changes over time in children and young adults, including how autism, race, and location influence outcomes.
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Sleep and mood links in Fragile X Syndrome
A short, patient-friendly study to understand how sleep problems relate to mood and depressive symptoms in people with Fragile X–linked autism.
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Connecting 3D genome misfolding to gene silencing in Fragile X syndrome
A study in people with Fragile X syndrome focuses on how 3D genome folding errors may turn off important genes, contributing to the condition’s features.
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Cortical circuit problems in Fragile X mice and people
Researchers are studying how brain circuits go awry in Fragile X syndrome by comparing mice and people to understand why certain brain rhythms and responses are altered.
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Brain biology in fragile X syndrome: how brain signals unfold and vary in patients
This grant supports research to understand brain signals and why symptoms vary in people with fragile X syndrome, aiming to translate findings into better care.
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Brain research on Fragile X Syndrome to improve therapies
A multi-year program studies brain function and differences in Fragile X Syndrome to help develop better treatments for people with FXS.
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.