Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Texas A&M University System Health Science Center has been awarded $559,215 by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) under the Mental Health Research Grants program (CFDA 93.242) to conduct basic neuroscience research examining the function of astrocytic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in neural circuits relevant to psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders. The project period extends from August 1, 2026, through April 30, 2031. The research will characterize the properties, pharmacological characteristics, and subunit composition of NMDA receptors expressed on astrocytes in the medial prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum, with particular emphasis on astrocytic NMDA receptor sensitivity to ketamine and the mechanisms underlying ketamine's antidepressant effects.

The funded research will generate empirical data advancing understanding of how astrocytic NMDA receptors regulate basal neurotransmission and modulate the release of astrocyte-derived synaptogenic factors that influence synaptic organization and behavior. Specific deliverables include mechanistic findings on how astrocytic NMDA receptors contribute to behavioral outcomes including fear extinction and cocaine-preference memory, as well as characterization of unique pharmacological properties distinguishing astrocytic from neuronal NMDA receptors. This work addresses identified gaps in knowledge regarding non-canonical glun2c-containing NMDA receptors expressed on cortical and striatal astrocytes and their pathophysiological relevance to treatment of mental illness.