# Role of L-type Calcium Channels in Human Interneuron Migration and Integration

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $529,167

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Gene variants and mutations in voltage-gated L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) genes are among
the most replicable findings in genetic studies of autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder and
schizophrenia. The mechanisms by which these genetic events lead to disease are not currently
known. Previous work has indicated that these LTCss play a critical role in cortical interneuron
migration and functional integration into cortical circuits. Here, we propose to leverage a novel
tridimensional (3D) neural differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) that
we developed to generate functional neural spheroids resembling the laminated excitatory
cerebral cortex (pallial spheroids) and, separately, subpallial spheroids giving rise to cortical
interneurons. Using state-of-the-art live imaging, transcriptional profiling, genetic-engineering,
pharmacology and electrophysiological methods, we plan to assemble two-region human
forebrain structures (pallial-excitatory/subpallial-inhibitory) and investigate the functional role of
LTCCs mutations in migration and functional synaptic integration of cortical interneurons.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10148814
- **Project number:** 5R01MH115012-04
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sergiu Pasca
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $529,167
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-10 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10148814

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10148814, Role of L-type Calcium Channels in Human Interneuron Migration and Integration (5R01MH115012-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10148814. Licensed CC0.

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