Synaptic teamwork between human neurons and astrocytes in brain cells from autopsy tissue
Official title: Synaptic function programs in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures from human post-mortem brain tissue
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11368076 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how neurons and astrocytes work together to support healthy brain signaling using human brain cells derived from donated tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $463,229 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH141189-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368076 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with aging-related cognitive concerns or relatives at risk who may benefit from future translational research building on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without cognitive concerns may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic work.
What this research studies
This project uses human brain cells created from tissue donated after death to study how neurons and astrocytes communicate at synapses. By growing both iPSC-derived and primary astrocytes with neurons from the same person, scientists hope to map coordinated gene programs that support synaptic function. The goal is to understand why aging and related cognitive decline occur at the level of these multicellular networks. The work combines advanced lab techniques to compare what happens in healthy aging versus disease risk contexts. Outcomes could point to new ways to preserve or restore memory as people age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings may illuminate targets to protect or improve synaptic function in aging and cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that neuron-astrocyte interactions influence synaptic function; this work extends those findings to human-derived multi-cell models and aging contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berretta, Sabina — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Berretta, Sabina
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.