# Dopamine signaling as a cognate microglia-neuron interaction in the striatum

> **NIH NIH F31** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2021 · $32,916

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Microglia are the tissue resident macrophages in the brain that perform diverse functions to maintain brain
homeostasis. Microglia phagocytose dying cells and debris, secrete growth factors, and prune afunctional
synapses. In order for this homeostasis to be maintained, microglia need to sense cognate changes in
neuronal activity. One exciting possible mechanism by which microglia sense changes in neural activity is by
expressing receptors for the neurotransmitters present in their microenvironment. In this way, microglia could
sample fluctuations in local neurotransmitter levels, infer changes in neural activity, and corresponding modify
overall neural activity to maintain circuit homeostasis. Accordingly, I found that a subset of microglia in the
striatum express the dopamine 1 receptor (D1R). Dopaminergic innervation is crucial for psychomotor
functioning, and dysregulation is associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. I hypothesize
that the unique subpopulation of D1R-expressing microglia in the striatum may actively sense changes in
dopamine levels and relay these changes to striatal neurons by modulating their activity. This project will
investigate how D1R signaling influences microglial gene expression and function and assess how abrogating
the microglial response to dopamine impacts medium spiny neurons and dopamine-dependent behaviors. I will
use cutting-edge molecule and genetic techniques coupled with behavioral paradigms to fully assess the role
of this D1R+ microglial subpopulation. The data obtained in this project will help uncover novel mechanisms of
cognate microglia-neuron communication and help us understand how microglia sense and respond to specific
changes in neural activity. Identifying the function of D1R signaling in microglia may reveal how microglia
contribute to dopamine system dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders and addiction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10153130
- **Project number:** 1F31MH124400-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Hayley Strasburger
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $32,916
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-17 → 2023-12-16

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10153130

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10153130, Dopamine signaling as a cognate microglia-neuron interaction in the striatum (1F31MH124400-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10153130. Licensed CC0.

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