NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Understanding how individual brain cells process information

Official title: STUDYING SINGLE NEURON COMPUTATIONS WITHIN BRAIN-WIDE CIRCUITS

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10997010 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how brain cells, called neurons, work together to send and receive signals, which helps us understand how our behavior is shaped, and it's designed for anyone curious about how our brains function.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$53,974
NIH project number1F30MH138009-01
Project IDNIH-10997010 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder, as they may benefit from a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in their conditions.

Less likely to help

Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to the mechanisms being studied, or those without a diagnosis of autism or bipolar disorder, may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how individual neurons in the brain process signals and generate responses, which is crucial for understanding behavior. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to measure the inputs and outputs of single neurons in real-time, providing insights into how these cells communicate and function within larger brain networks. The research will explore different patterns of synaptic input to determine how they influence neuron activity, potentially revealing the underlying algorithms of brain function.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into brain disorders and improve treatment strategies for conditions like autism and bipolar disorder.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized advanced imaging techniques to study neural activity, indicating that this approach has the potential for significant findings.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Xie, Michael Everest — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Xie, Michael Everest

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.