Understanding how cerebellar hemispheres form and shape thinking and movement
Official title: Unraveling the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Cerebellar Hemisphere Development
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11456216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at the University of Connecticut aims to understand how the cerebellar hemispheres develop and organize, which can affect movement, attention, language, and learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $660,625 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146844-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals affected by autistic disorder or cerebellar-related developmental differences who may benefit from future translational advances.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not directly affected by cerebellar development disorders may not experience immediate benefit, but findings could still advance general brain health knowledge.
What this research studies
The study looks at how early cerebellar development creates the intricate folds and regional differences that influence brain function. Researchers will examine different Purkinje cell types and granule cell progenitors to see how they guide hemispheric growth. By tracing these developmental processes, the project hopes to reveal why cerebellar organization matters for behavior and cognition. This is grounded in recent findings showing more diversity in cerebellar cells than previously thought. If successful, the work could lay the groundwork for later approaches to diagnose or treat conditions linked to cerebellar development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of cerebellar development could inform future interventions for autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests diverse cerebellar cell types are important for regional brain development, supporting a foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, James Y.h — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Li, James Y.h
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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.