Understanding how brain cells interact with each other
Official title: Functional, Structural and Molecular Decoding of Astrocyte-Neuron Interaction
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-10686615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain cells called astrocytes work with neurons to understand their impact on conditions like Alzheimer's disease, which could help find new ways to treat these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,427,400 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2NS136871-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10686615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to astrocyte-neuron interactions may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between neurons and astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, to better understand their roles in neurological and psychiatric conditions. By examining how astrocytes influence specific neuronal populations linked to various behaviors, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these interactions. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how these interactions contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders by targeting astrocyte-neuron interactions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding glial cell functions, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Xinzhu — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Yu, Xinzhu
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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.