Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University received a $575,485 Project Grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) under the Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (CFDA 93.853) program, effective February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2031. This award supports fundamental neuroscience research investigating the neuronal function of BCL11A, a zinc-finger transcription factor implicated in intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. The research employs integrated in vitro and in vivo methodologies to elucidate mechanisms linking BCL11A dysfunction to neurological pathology, with particular emphasis on BCL11A's role in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons, which preliminary findings suggest are uniquely vulnerable to BCL11A loss-of-function mutations.

The project delivers basic and translational neuroscience research products, including behavioral analyses using mouse models, differentiation studies of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, gene expression profiling of ventral forebrain organoids, and mechanistic investigations of BCL11A's transcriptional regulatory functions. These research activities advance fundamental understanding of brain development and neurological disease etiology, supporting NINDS's mission to reduce the burden of neurological disease through rigorous scientific investigation and knowledge generation applicable to multiple neurological disorders of significant clinical importance.