Understanding how sex differences affect brain development in response to vitamin A.
Official title: Characterizing the mechanistic basis for sex-dimorphic responses to retinoic acid signaling in the developing brain
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10886499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hormones and genes affect brain development in boys and girls differently, using special brain cells grown in the lab to understand how they respond to a substance called retinoic acid, which could help us learn more about conditions like Autism that affect boys and girls in different ways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $44,889 |
| NIH project number | 5F31MH131366-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10886499 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with Autism or those interested in understanding the biological factors influencing neurodevelopmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Autism or related neurodevelopmental disorders may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sex hormones and genes influence brain development, particularly focusing on how retinoic acid signaling affects males and females differently. By using stem cell-derived cortical organoids, the study aims to model neurodevelopment and observe the varying gene expression responses to retinoic acid in male and female brain cells. The goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these sex-specific responses, which could provide insights into conditions like Autism that show different prevalence rates between genders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for neurological disorders that exhibit sex-dimorphic characteristics, such as Autism.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown success in understanding sex differences in neurological disorders, indicating potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hennick, Kelsey — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hennick, Kelsey
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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.