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Identifying a functional role for transcriptionally distinct, BLA-activated LS ensembles in social behaviors

Award Number: F32MH139150
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

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Identifying a functional role for transcriptionally distinct, BLA-activated LS ensembles in social behaviors - Project Summary Social recognition is the ability to distinguish between novel and familiar conspecifics. This social behavior is essential for organismal survival as an organism mist be able to direct their behavior based on a social stimulus or presentation. Recent evidence from our lab has identified that neurons projecting from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to the lateral septum (LS) are critically involved in social recognition. However, the mechanisms governing activation of LS neurons by BLA input are understudied. My long-term goal is to better understand the neural substrates regulating social behaviors at the circuit, cellular, and molecular levels. The objective of this project – to study the role of BLA-activated LS neuronal ensembles in regulating social recognition, and to characterize both the spatial topography and transcriptional heterogeneity of these ensembles, is the first step toward this long-term goal. Based on previous findings implicating the BLA-LS circuit in regulating social recognition, my central hypothesis is that activating LS-projecting BLA neurons recruits a transcriptionally distinct ensemble of LS neurons that are required for social recognition. The rationale for the proposed research is that identifying a functional role for a specific, molecularly defined LS neuronal subpopulation in social recognition will provide further understanding of the neural substrates regulating hardcoded social behaviors essential for organismal survival. The central hypothesis of this proposal will be tested by pursuing two specific aims: 1) elucidate molecular signatures of BLA-activated LS ensembles across the spatial topography of the LS, and 2) test the necessity and sufficiency of BLA-activated LS neuronal ensembles in social recognition. This approach is innovative because it proposes to use circuit-specific, activity- dependent tagging of neuronal ensembles to both functionally interrogate the population and comprehensively characterize its molecular signature. The proposed research is significant because it will shed light on the neurobiological underpinnings that govern the development of social behaviors, and could potentially identify novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders with social deficits.


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 = $80,520 )
2026	2026	LIEBER INSTITUTE INC	855 N WOLFE ST STE 300	BALTIMORE	MD	21205	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	1/7/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$80,520
														Subtotal = $80,520

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $78,828 )
2024	2024	THE LIEBER INSTITUTE	855 N WOLFE ST STE 300	BALTIMORE	MD	21205	BALTIMORE CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	9/10/2024	NEW	$78,828
														Subtotal = $78,828

Grand Total All Awards = $159,348

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Identifying a functional role for transcriptionally distinct, BLA-activated LS ensembles in social behaviors

Award Number: F32MH139150

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

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