Striatal Signaling Mechanisms in Parkinson’s Disease
Official title: Striatal Trans-Synaptic Signaling Mechanism in Parkinsonism
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11394444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at Texas A&M University Health Science Center is exploring how brain signaling in the striatum contributes to Parkinson’s disease and whether new targets could lead to better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $646,607 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS133338-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Parkinson’s disease or those at risk of PD who enroll in future clinical trials related to thalamostriatal signaling or receptor-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Parkinson’s disease or those not connected to future trials focusing on thalamostriatal signaling may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates how signals between the thalamus and striatum affect movement and non-movement symptoms in Parkinson’s disease using advanced animal models and genetic tools. Researchers will study the role of glutamate receptors and synaptic organizers in the thalamostriatal pathway, and how altering these signals impacts motor function and behavior in models of PD. The work employs technologies like AAV-based vectors and 6-OHDA lesions to mimic disease conditions and test potential therapeutic targets. Findings could point to new strategies to slow progression or improve quality of life for people living with PD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new therapeutic targets to alleviate motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and slow disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked thalamostriatal signaling changes to motor deficits in PD models, supporting this approach as promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dravid, Shashank Manohar — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Dravid, Shashank Manohar
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.