Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas at Austin received a $613,161 Project Grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders program (CFDA 93.853), awarded April 7, 2026, with completion scheduled for March 31, 2031. This research project investigates the role of caldendrin, a calcium-sensing protein, in regulating touch sensation and neurodevelopmental processes related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research builds upon preliminary findings demonstrating that mice lacking caldendrin display tactile hypersensitivity and ASD-like behavioral phenotypes, including anxiety and antisocial behavior with sex-specific differences between males and females.

The project will deliver scientific research outputs utilizing advanced biochemistry, electrophysiology, and optical imaging methodologies to elucidate how caldendrin modulates mechanically activated PIEZO2 channels and calcium signaling in dorsal root ganglion neurons during early development. The research aims to identify the mechanistic connections between peripheral sensory neuron dysfunction and central nervous system processes governing cognitive, affective, and social behaviors in adulthood, with implications for understanding the neurobiological basis of touch hypersensitivity in neurodevelopmental disorders. Research outputs will include peer-reviewed publications, experimental data, and potentially translational findings relevant to therapeutic interventions for ASD-related sensory processing abnormalities.