Understanding brain development during adolescence and its link to mental disorders
Official title: Thalamo-prefrontal circuit maturation during adolescence
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11003715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a part of the brain that helps with thinking develops during the teenage years, using mice to see how changes in brain activity might affect mental health, with the hope of finding ways to help prevent issues like schizophrenia in young people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 27, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $421,236 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH128293-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for developing mental health disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the adolescent age range or those without a history of mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the thalamo-prefrontal circuit matures during adolescence, a critical period for mental health. By studying the effects of thalamic activity on prefrontal cortex development in mice, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that may lead to cognitive deficits associated with disorders like schizophrenia. The study involves manipulating thalamic activity during specific developmental stages and assessing the long-term impacts on brain connectivity and cognitive function. The findings could provide insights into how early interventions might prevent or mitigate mental health issues in adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cognitive deficits and mental disorders in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding brain connectivity during critical developmental periods can lead to significant advancements in mental health treatment, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kellendonk, Christoph — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Kellendonk, Christoph
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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.