No REST for 5-HT Neurons After Brain Injury
Official title: No REST for 5-HT Neurons Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11389395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how traumatic brain injury changes serotonin-producing neurons and aims to find ways to improve mood and social behavior after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2024 |
| Project end | August 1, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $405,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS137887-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury who experience neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal may benefit from future applications of this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of brain injury or neuropsychiatric symptoms related to TBI may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
After a traumatic brain injury, people often face depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. This project investigates how TBI alters serotonin signaling in brain regions tied to emotion, using a preclinical model to study changes in 5-HT neurons and related gene expression. The team will look at the role of a transcription factor called REST in this process and how it affects neuron identity after injury. Findings could guide development of better treatments for mood and social symptoms following TBI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new targets or strategies to improve mood, anxiety, and social functioning for people recovering from TBI.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that serotonin systems are altered after brain injury, supporting the potential for meaningful advances with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robson, Matthew — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Robson, Matthew
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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.