Understanding how brain connections form between cortical areas in autism
Official title: Developmental Mechanisms of Fine-scale Cortico-cortical Circuit Formation
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11369871 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at UC Santa Cruz is studying how specific brain connections develop in the visual system to understand neurodevelopmental conditions like autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $442,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS128771-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369871 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related neurodevelopmental conditions whose biology may be influenced by early brain wiring defects; findings may guide future translational efforts.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are not guaranteed; this study uses animal models to understand basic brain development.
What this research studies
This project investigates how cortico-cortical projection neurons connect different parts of the cortex, focusing on how timing and molecular signals shape these connections in a mouse visual system model. By examining which neurons form long-range connections and how they refine these connections over time, the study aims to link gene activity to neural wiring that may go awry in autism. The findings could reveal molecular players that guide circuit assembly and identify potential targets for later therapies. The work involves genetic tools and imaging to track neuronal development in the developing brain and assess how disruptions might contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could illuminate new molecular targets to support proper brain wiring in neurodevelopmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in neural development has linked specific molecular pathways to cortical wiring, with promising translational potential, though much remains unknown.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Euiseok J — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Kim, Euiseok J
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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.