Using RNA changes to reduce sex-based thinking and memory problems
Official title: Sex differences in cognitive dysfunction: mitigation by RNA editing
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11251813 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether fixing a specific RNA edit can ease thinking, memory, and social problems that differ between males and females, with relevance to autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $622,369 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135792-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251813 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults on the autism spectrum or adults with cognitive or social difficulties linked to prenatal stress or neurodevelopmental disorders would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose symptoms stem from non-neurological causes or from conditions unrelated to glutamate signaling or RNA editing are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models that experienced prenatal stress and two new gene-edited GluA2 mice to see if restoring a particular RNA edit improves learning, memory, anxiety-like behavior, and social cognition. They will compare outcomes in males and females and examine the hippocampus and amygdala, brain areas important for memory and emotion. The team will measure behavior as well as molecular changes in glutamate receptors and RNA editing patterns. Findings will be compared to patterns seen in human brain samples to judge relevance to people with cognitive or social impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new therapies that target RNA editing to reduce cognitive and social symptoms in autism and stress-related conditions, potentially tailored by sex.
How similar studies have gone: Researchers have observed altered RNA editing in human brains and shown behavioral effects in animals after manipulating glutamate receptors, but using GluA2 RNA editing to correct sex-specific cognitive problems is a largely novel, preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sodhi, Monsheel S — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sodhi, Monsheel 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.