Award
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 5R01NS144659-02
Exploring activity-dependent regulation of intra and intercellular mitochondrial transport in astrocytes
Recipient
Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Award Amount
$432,582.00
Ceiling
$432,582.00
Awarded
July 20, 2026
Identifier
5R01NS144659-02
This NIH-funded project studies how astrocytes and neurons communicate to support brain energy needs by investigating mitochondrial transport mechanisms, potentially aiding neurodegenerative disease treatment.
Description
The project explores fundamental questions related to how neurons and astrocytes communicate to support the energetic needs of the brain and ensure long-term neural circuit function. It investigates cellular mechanisms of mitochondrial positioning and transport between astrocytes and neurons using Drosophila models, aiming to identify neuronal cues that trigger mitochondrial transfer. Understanding these processes may help alleviate circuit dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.