Synaptic development and sleep-related brain circuits in autism
Official title: Synaptic Perturbations to Early Development of Sleep-Related Cortical Circuits
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11686419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice explores how early brain circuits that help sleep become wired, hoping to understand sleep problems in autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | October 5, 2026 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $109,182 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM148302-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11686419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autism spectrum disorder or sleep-related cortical issues who could benefit from future translational studies linking early brain development to sleep patterns.
✕Less likely to help
This research is preclinical and does not directly enroll patients at this stage; however, it lays groundwork for future human studies.
What this research studies
This project looks at how early cortical circuits involving Layer 5 neurons become synchronized to support sleep-like brain activity, with a focus on autism-linked gene Grin2b. Researchers will use advanced imaging to watch embryonic neuron activity and see how disrupting Grin2b affects later brain synchrony after birth. They will also use optogenetics to selectively drive these neurons during embryonic development to identify the patterns needed for proper circuit formation. The goal is to connect early neural events to sleep disturbances seen in autistic individuals, paving the way for targeted interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform strategies to normalize sleep-related brain activity in autism, potentially improving sleep quality and developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows embryonic neural activity can shape postnatal brain networks, but translating this to autism-related sleep rhythms is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bharioke, Arjun — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Bharioke, Arjun
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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.