Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Yale University received a $513,602 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 June 19, 2026, with completion targeted for May 31, 2031. The award funds basic neuroscience research investigating the role of non-clustered protocadherins (NCPCDHs), particularly protocadherin-17 (PCDH17), in forebrain circuit assembly and development. The research seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of reciprocal connectivity patterns between forebrain regions—including the cerebral cortex, amygdala, striatum, and thalamus—during critical mid-fetal developmental periods when vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders is heightened.

The deliverables from this research will advance understanding of how NCPCDHs function as homophilic adhesion molecules in axon guidance, synaptic maturation, and circuit stabilization, with direct relevance to multiple neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, the project addresses disruptions in prefrontal cortex and medial thalamus connectivity implicated in schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder. By characterizing the spatiotemporal expression patterns and functional roles of these adhesion molecules during forebrain development, the research will contribute fundamental knowledge applicable to understanding both normal brain function and disease mechanisms, thereby supporting NINDS's mission to reduce the burden of neurological disease.