Understanding how inhibitory signals affect brain connections
Official title: The dual roles of GABA in excitatory synaptic plasticity
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10948010 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain signals help balance other signals to keep our brains working well, especially during development, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how our brain connections affect learning and memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH137409-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948010 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly those on the autism spectrum.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely genetic disorders unrelated to synaptic function may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the roles of inhibitory synapses in regulating excitatory synapses in the brain, which is crucial for maintaining proper brain function. Using advanced techniques like two-photon microscopy and optogenetics, the study aims to explore how these inhibitory signals influence the formation and elimination of excitatory synapses during brain development. By examining the communication between these synapses, the research seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to cognitive processes and neural circuit plasticity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into brain development and potential therapeutic strategies for conditions like autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding synaptic interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oh, Won Chan — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Oh, Won Chan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how alcohol and how couples talk about consent affect intimate partner sexual violence
This project studies how alcohol use and how partners communicate about consent influence intimate partner sexual violence among sexual minority and heterosexual couples.
-
How proteins change and move as heart cells develop
This grant aims to map how protein turnover changes as human iPSCs turn into cardiomyocytes and other cell types, using new labeling and mass-spectrometry methods.
-
Center for Health, Work and Environment
A national center dedicated to improving health in people who work, by studying how jobs affect well-being and safety.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
Expanded antibody-based clues to TB risk in people with HIV
A clinician-scientist seeks to understand how antibodies in people with HIV may drive the progression from latent TB to active TB, with the goal of identifying clues that could guide future care.
-
Human Trisome Project in Latin America Network
A large, multi-site study of people with Down syndrome across Latin America to better understand health and aging in DS.
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.