Understanding how inhibitory synapses in the brain change during learning and memory.
Nanoscale organization of the inhibitory synapse during synaptic plasticity
This study is looking at how brain cells work together to help us learn and remember things, focusing on a special type of connection that helps keep things balanced in the brain, and it could lead to new ways to help people with brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10737624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the balance between excitation and inhibition in neuronal circuits, which is crucial for cognitive functions like learning and memory. It focuses on the molecular mechanisms of GABAergic inhibitory synapses, which play a significant role in controlling neuronal excitability. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to define how GABA receptors are organized and how their arrangement changes during synaptic plasticity, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological disorders caused by disrupted inhibition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological disorders that involve disrupted inhibition, such as epilepsy or other cognitive impairments.
Not a fit: Patients with purely structural brain disorders or those not experiencing issues related to synaptic inhibition may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating various neurological disorders linked to impaired synaptic inhibition.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding synaptic plasticity and its implications for neurological disorders, suggesting that this approach has the potential for significant breakthroughs.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Katharine Rachel — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Smith, Katharine Rachel
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 below.