Role of delta-catenin in how we talk with others and relate to others
Official title: The roles of delta-catenin in social behavior
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11468892 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a protein called delta-catenin helps brain connections work to shape social behavior, which could illuminate why social difficulties occur in certain mental health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $359,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132921-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468892 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with social impairment arising from or associated with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions, who could be connected to future translational work or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without social impairment related to the studied condition may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Delta-catenin helps anchor AMPA receptors at excitatory synapses, and this project explores how that function influences social behavior in the brain. The team will examine neural circuits in the medial prefrontal cortex and how changes in excitation and inhibition affect social interactions. By linking molecular changes to cellular activity and behavior in animal models, the research aims to map a pathway from a gene to social outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this pathway could point to new targets for therapies addressing social deficits in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that(delta-catenin) influences synaptic function and related behaviors, with emerging evidence linking it to social behavior, making this area promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Seonil — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Seonil
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.