Understanding how brain circuits and synapses interact to support memory and learning
Official title: Investigating reciprocal interactions between circuit and synaptic function
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10878114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain work together to help us remember things, especially by focusing on the hippocampus, and it aims to understand how the brain's activity affects our ability to learn and recall memories.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $402,813 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS137020-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10878114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing cognitive impairments or memory-related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no cognitive impairments or those not interested in memory-related research may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This research investigates the intricate relationships between brain circuit architecture and synaptic function, focusing on how these interactions influence memory formation and retrieval. By examining the hippocampus, a key area for memory, the study aims to uncover how internally generated sequences of neuronal activity contribute to cognitive processes. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques in electrophysiology and computer analysis to explore these dynamics in living brain tissue. This work could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of learning and memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing memory and cognitive function in patients with memory disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding synaptic plasticity and memory, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pfeiffer, Brad E — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pfeiffer, Brad E
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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.