# The Instruction of Sensory Inputs in Inhibitory Circuit Maturation in the Somatosensory Cortex

> **NIH NIH F30** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2021 · $47,807

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of common neurodevelopmental disorders of
diverse presentation, though sensory disturbances are consistently noted. Previous work has
demonstrated a requirement for sensory input in the morphological maturation of subtypes of
interneurons in the somatosensory cortex, but the effect this has on circuit activity and regional
output is unknown. We hypothesize that sensory inputs recruit select interneuron subtypes to
trigger the maturation of cortical circuits and that perturbations of this process cause lasting
abnormalities in regional cortical output, which underlie the pathophysiology of
neurodevelopmental disorders. To test our hypothesis, we will record the spontaneous network
activity of subpopulations of neurons and in sensory deprived animals. We will identify the
presynaptic inputs to these cells with an anatomical tracer. We will also utilize a mouse model of
autism to reveal the function of a high-risk ASD gene in the maturation of circuits involving
inhibitory interneurons and intracortical projection neurons. This investigation will fill a
substantial gap in knowledge of ASD pathogenesis and the interaction between genetic
background and activity-dependent developmental processes. The complete picture of ASD
pathogenesis remains unclear. This project aims to describe how neuronal activity guides circuit
development in the context of increased genetic risk, providing mechanistic insight into disease
development and laying the groundwork for earlier diagnosis and novel treatment targets.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10198716
- **Project number:** 5F30MH117939-04
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel A Babij
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $47,807
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-16 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10198716

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10198716, The Instruction of Sensory Inputs in Inhibitory Circuit Maturation in the Somatosensory Cortex (5F30MH117939-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10198716. Licensed CC0.

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