# Reorganization of the Central Visual System by Inhibitory Neuron Transplantation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2021 · $482,533

## Abstract

The transplantation of embryonic inhibitory neurons has recently emerged as a promising avenue
for cell-based brain repair. Previously, we and others have shown that transplanted inhibitory neurons
restore juvenile plasticity to the circuits of adult visual cortex. In this study, we set out to elucidate the
mechanisms for transplant-induced cortical plasticity. We hypothesize that transplanted inhibitory neurons
reactivate plasticity by creating a new, disinhibitory microcircuit in recipient adult visual cortex. First, we will
map out the effects of transplantation on the inter- and intralaminar balance of excitation and inhibition.
Next, we will compare the cell-type specific effects of brief monocular deprivation on visual activity in host
cortex. Lastly, we will test whether transplanted neurons make long-range connections with appropriate
circuits. To evaluate these hypotheses, this proposal will take advantage of recent advances in optogenetic
dissection of inhibitory circuits in brain slice, multiphoton imaging of defined cortical cell types using
genetically encoded calcium indicators, chemical-genetic tools for testing the mechanisms of transplant-
induced plasticity and viral tracing and whole brain clearing to identify the brain-wide connections onto
transplanted cells. If successful, the proposed studies shed light on the mechanisms of transplant-induced
cortical reorganization. These studies are also likely to give insight into the normal developmental
regulation of cortical plasticity by inhibitory cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146402
- **Project number:** 5R01EY029490-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Sunil Gandhi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $482,533
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146402

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146402, Reorganization of the Central Visual System by Inhibitory Neuron Transplantation (5R01EY029490-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146402. Licensed CC0.

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