Understanding how brain connections relate to their functions
Official title: Relating structure and function in synapse-level wiring diagrams
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10928412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how brain cells connect and work together to help us process what we see and make decisions, using advanced imaging tools to create detailed maps of these connections, and it's aimed at anyone interested in understanding more about how our brains function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | September 29, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,100,864 |
| NIH project number | 9RF1DA060772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who may have neurological conditions or are interested in brain function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to brain function or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the intricate connections between neurons and synapses in the brain using advanced imaging techniques. By employing modern electron microscopy, the project aims to reconstruct detailed wiring diagrams of the brain while integrating functional and behavioral data from experimental studies. This combined approach will help to clarify how specific brain structures contribute to sensory processing and decision-making. The ultimate goal is to develop scalable methods that can be applied to larger organisms in future studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain function and lead to improved treatments for neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar imaging and data integration techniques to understand brain function, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Litwin-Kumar, Ashok — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Litwin-Kumar, Ashok
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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.