Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Investigating the role of early postnatal neuromodulation in cerebellar development

Award Number: F31HD121437
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2029

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Investigating the role of early postnatal neuromodulation in cerebellar development - Abstract This study seeks to elucidate the impact of early postnatal oxytocin signaling on cerebellar development and function. The cerebellum shapes motor behavior, cognition, and emotion and, in consequence, its functional disruption during early development is one of the highest risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders. Due to its protracted development, anatomical location, and dense vascularization, the cerebellum is highly susceptible to perinatal insults. The process of parturition for instance exposes the infant cerebellum to high levels neurohormones like oxytocin. Previous studies suggest that neonatal oxytocin exposure contributes to functional maturation of cortical and hippocampal circuits, but the impact of those hormone surges on cerebellar development remain unknown. Recent transcriptomic profiling of the developing mouse cerebellar cortex revealed that GABAergic progenitors transiently express oxytocin receptor mRNA, peaking around postnatal day 4, and then steeply declining. My goal is to determine the role of oxytocin signaling in the development of GABAergic neurons and cerebellar circuit formation. I will use a combination of molecular, functional, and genetic approaches in mice. In aim 1, I will use gene expression analysis and receptor labeling to determine the timing of Oxtr and OTR expression in molecularly identified cell types. In aim 2, I will use in vitro electrophysiology to identify the impact of oxytocin on the activity of immature GABAergic neurons and the GABA functional switch from excitatory to inhibitory. In aim 3, I will probe how oxytocin regulates emerging excitatory and inhibitory connectivity across development and probe the long-term impact of oxytocin on synaptic plasticity. Completion of this study will provide mechanistic insight into how transient oxytocin receptor signaling shapes circuit development.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	002	1	3/26/2026	NEW	$0
2026	2026	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	2/9/2026	NEW	$49,538
2026	2026	ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE	1300 MORRIS PARK AVE	BRONX	NY	10461	BRONX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	1	3/26/2026	NEW	$576
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Investigating the role of early postnatal neuromodulation in cerebellar development

Award Number: F31HD121437

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2029

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer