Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors
About This Grant
Abstract Adolescence is a period characterized by the refinement of higher cognitive functions and social behaviors, but also as a period during which many psychiatric disorders arise. Part of this susceptibility is due to changes in GABAergic inhibitory transmission occurring in limbic structures, particularly the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HC). Our published work has shown that brief systemic interventions during adolescence are sufficient to disrupt the maturation of the GABAergic system in the PFC causing an imbalance of excitation (E) and inhibition (I) which in turn affect the integration and output of the region. However, current systemic interventions and genetic animal models preclude us from examining the contribution of individual brain regions to the development of normal and maladaptive behaviors. Our long-term goal is to identify prefrontal and hippocampal circuits that are subject to plasticity during adolescence and define how those changes support normal behavioral transitions into adulthood. The gap in knowledge is whether the refinement of the E-I ratio in each structure enables the maturation of specific behavioral circuits, and most importantly when such window occurs. Interestingly, a consistent finding neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism has been a regional reduction of the protein parvalbumin (PV), a calcium binding protein developmentally expressed in a subpopulation of GABAergic interneurons, namely PV-positive interneurons (PVIs). PV expression is intimately related to the inhibitory capacity of PVIs: preventing the normative increase of PV during adolescence is sufficient to decrease GABAergic, but not glutamatergic, synaptic transmission in adults. Such a manipulation causes disinhibition without lesioning the structure or passing fibers, more realistically mirroring a permanent E- I imbalance. Our central hypothesis posits that disinhibition of the vHC or the PFC during adolescence will differentially affect limbic circuits, giving rise to non-overlapping behavioral phenotypes. To evaluate this hypothesis, we will use a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference approach to partially deplete PV into the ventral HC (PVshRNA-vHC) or the PFC (PVshRNA-PFC) during early or late adolescence, followed by measurements in cognitive and social behavioral domains. By individually disrupting the E-I balance of the vHC and the PFC, this grant will provide much needed information on how the vHC and PFC contribute to the normal development of cognitive and social behaviors and at the same time have a positive impact by increasing our understanding of the source, heterogeneity, and time course of behavioral abnormalities in mental disorders.
Grant Summary
Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors is a NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health grant providing up to $441K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-06-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Up to $441K
2028-06-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
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Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors?
Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors is offered by NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors provide?
Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors provides up to $441K per award from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors deadline?
Applications for Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors are due 2028-06-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors?
To apply for Deconstructing the roles of the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus during adolescence in the maturation of social and cognitive behaviors, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health.