Understanding how dopamine affects brain support cells in the prefrontal cortex
Official title: Dopaminergic Control of Glial Cells in Prefrontal Cortex Functions
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10992823 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells called astrocytes, which support other brain cells, are affected by dopamine, a chemical that helps with communication in the brain, to better understand how this might relate to conditions like depression or schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $157,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH136486-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10992823 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may be affected by neurological or psychiatric disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to dopamine signaling or glial cell function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of glial cells, specifically astrocytes, in the brain's prefrontal cortex and how they are influenced by dopamine. The study aims to understand how dopamine signaling in these support cells affects their behavior and interactions with other brain cells, which could have implications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Using advanced techniques, the researchers will manipulate dopamine receptors in astrocytes in mice to observe changes in brain function and behavior. This approach could reveal new insights into the mechanisms of brain disorders and how they might be treated.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders by targeting glial cell functions.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of glial cells in brain function is gaining attention, this specific approach to studying dopamine's effect on astrocytes is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borrelli, Emiliana — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Borrelli, Emiliana
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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.