Federal Grant Award Summary

The Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. received a $521,266 Project Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242), awarded on March 15, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2031. This award supports basic neuroscience research investigating the role of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in midbrain dopamine neurons and its relationship to hyperactivity and impulsivity behaviors. The research employs dopamine neuron-specific mTOR conditional knockout mice to examine cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral phenotypes relevant to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, utilizing advanced neurobiological techniques and longitudinal behavioral assessments.

The deliverables under this award include novel scientific findings characterizing how altered mTOR signaling in specific dopamine neuron populations affects locomotor activity, behavioral responses to stimulant medications, impulse control, and attention function. The research is expected to generate peer-reviewed publications, presentations at scientific conferences, and foundational mechanistic knowledge that advances understanding of the neurobiological basis of hyperactivity and impulsivity, with potential long-term implications for developing targeted interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders.