Understanding how neural progenitors shape brain wiring in autism
Official title: DEFINING MECHANISMS OF PROGENITOR BALANCE AND NEURONAL CONNECTIVITY
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11352538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how early brain cells balance to form the cortex and how disruptions may relate to autism and other conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $702,267 |
| NIH project number | 5R35NS116859-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adults affected by autism spectrum disorders or related cortical development disorders may benefit from advances informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without neurodevelopmental disorders are unlikely to directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project looks at the developing cerebral cortex and the balance between radial progenitors and intermediate progenitors to understand how neurons are produced and connected. By studying how these cells divide and organize, researchers aim to uncover how cortical circuits form and what goes wrong in autism and related disorders. The work combines cellular and developmental approaches to map the molecular signals that guide neuronal connectivity. The insights could point to new ideas for understanding and eventually treating neurodevelopmental conditions that involve autism and epilepsy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how the brain wires itself could lead to new approaches for diagnosing or treating autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders in the future.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked progenitor balance and cortical connectivity to neurodevelopmental conditions, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anton, Eva S — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Anton, Eva S
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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.