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Determining the role of localized dopamine signals in learning

Award Number: R21MH141410
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/14/2028

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Determining the role of localized dopamine signals in learning - Project Summary Neuromodulators like dopamine are crucial for learning, driving synaptic changes in neurons, and shaping behavior. Furthermore, dysfunction in dopamine signaling is a hallmark of almost all psychiatric disorders. Traditionally, dopamine was thought to broadcast diffuse signals across broad brain regions. However, emerging evidence points to a more targeted mechanism, where dopamine acts on specific neurons engaged in behaviorally relevant tasks. This proposal raises a critical question: How does a widely distributed neuromodulator like dopamine contribute to precise, neuron-specific learning? This project will explore how dopamine shapes learning in sparse cortical populations. We will use two-photon microscopy and genetically encoded sensors to simultaneously track dopamine release and neuronal activity in real-time as mice perform a neuroprosthetic control task. We will use this task because it allows us to directly identify the neurons that drive behavior, providing a unique opportunity to examine whether dopamine signals are more focused on task-relevant neurons. We will measure both dopamine release and the activity of specific neurons involved in behavior to determine whether dopamine shapes learning at a single neuron level or across broader networks, and what type of information can be conveyed by dopamine signals at different levels of spatial resolution. This study will help us better understand the brain mechanisms underlying learning by revealing fundamental mechanisms of how dopamine modulates neural circuits. Our results will help us understand how disruptions in these processes contribute to conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and addiction, which involve pathological learning. This research could lead to more targeted therapies focusing on dopamine-related brain circuits, ultimately offering better treatment options for people with cognitive dysfunction and maladaptive behavioral patterns.


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 = $409,750 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	3/6/2026	NEW	$409,750
														Subtotal = $409,750

Grand Total All Awards = $409,750

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Determining the role of localized dopamine signals in learning

Award Number: R21MH141410

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/14/2028

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