Project Grant R01NS147040

Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $635,505 Project Grant awarded June 17, 2026, 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). The award supports a five-year research initiative (through May 31, 2031) investigating ion channel dysfunction in cerebellar Purkinje cells as a mechanistic driver of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND). The research will characterize how alterations in ion channels contribute to both electrophysiological abnormalities and behavioral deficits associated with cognitive disability and autism spectrum disorders in TSC patients, utilizing both genetic and pharmacological approaches to evaluate potential therapeutic benefits.

The project deliverables include mechanistic research findings on ion channel contributions to cerebellar dysfunction, identification of specific molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, and preclinical evidence supporting the feasibility of ion channel-based therapeutic approaches for TAND. By establishing a framework linking ion channel dysfunction to TAND-relevant behaviors in disease models, this research will provide critical short-term insights into pathophysiology while generating long-term impact through the identification of actionable therapeutic targets that may inform subsequent clinical development for TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders.