Understanding Brain Circuits for Mental Health Treatments
Preclinical Assays of Hippocampal-Prefrontal Cortical Circuit Engagement for Application in Therapeutic Development
This work aims to better understand how specific brain circuits, like those involved in autism and anxiety, work so we can develop more effective treatments for mental health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115862 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring how connections between two important brain areas, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, contribute to normal thinking and emotions. These connections are often disrupted in conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism. By understanding these brain circuits better, we hope to find new ways to identify potential drug targets. This foundational knowledge is crucial for creating better screening tools to test new medications more effectively. Our ultimate goal is to improve the process of developing new therapies for mental illnesses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals living with psychiatric conditions like autism, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options or direct clinical intervention will not find benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the discovery of new targets for medications and more efficient ways to test new treatments for psychiatric diseases, including autism.
How similar studies have performed: Past efforts to translate basic science discoveries into clinical treatments for psychiatric diseases have often failed, highlighting the need for new approaches like the one proposed here.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maurer, Andrew Porter — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Maurer, Andrew Porter
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 below.