Understanding how neurons manage energy for brain activity
Official title: How do neurons coordinate alternative energy sources to meet the demands of computation?
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10983340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how brain cells manage their energy needs while they work, using both fruit flies and humans to understand how they predict what energy they'll need based on what they're doing, which could help us learn more about how energy use affects how our brains function and behave.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $394,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130794-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who may have conditions affecting brain function or energy metabolism.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute neurological injuries or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how neurons in the brain coordinate different energy sources to support their computational demands. By examining the relationship between neural activity and energy production, the study aims to uncover how neurons predict their future energy needs based on current activity levels. The research utilizes advanced imaging techniques and models to explore these processes in both fruit flies and human brain activity. This could provide insights into how energy efficiency impacts brain function and behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of brain energy management, potentially informing treatments for neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding energy dynamics in neural activity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clandinin, Thomas Robert — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Clandinin, Thomas Robert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.