S1P-S1PR1: How brain cells talk to each other during development
Official title: S1P-S1PR1 in bidirectional Neuron-Astrocyte communications
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11609332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Virginia Commonwealth University will look at how brain support cells called astrocytes communicate with neurons to shape brain circuits in development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 27, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $67,294 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS126504-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11609332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This study is preclinical and uses cell and animal models to study brain development, not a patient population.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits to patients are not expected in the short term since this is a basic science study of brain development.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how signals from neurons shape astrocyte maturation and how astrocytes in turn provide factors that help neurons grow and form connections. They focus on the S1P-S1PR1 pathway and astrocyte-secreted proteins like SPARCL1 and thrombospondins that influence synapse formation. The goal is to uncover the molecular signals that regulate neuron-astrocyte interactions during brain development and circuit assembly. The work combines cellular and molecular approaches to map how these conversations affect brain wiring and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these communication pathways could reveal new targets to support healthy brain development and potentially inform strategies for brain disorder therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown astrocyte-secreted proteins influence synapse formation, indicating this line of research has translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Sandeep Kumar — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Singh, Sandeep Kumar
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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.