# Neurocognitive Consequences of Intermittent Hypoxia

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2021 · $27,717

## Abstract

Abstract
Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder that causes intermittent hypoxia (IH) and is known to negatively impact
learning and memory. Neurobiological processes within the hippocampus appear to be particularly susceptible
to IH. Recent work has shown that IH-dependent hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF1a) signaling acts in several
ways to mediate changes in hippocampal physiology. While HIF1a promotes oxidative stress that disrupts
synaptic plasticity and adult neurogenesis, IH-dependent HIF1a signaling also serves to prevent cell loss among
neural progenitors. These observations suggest that the outcome of IH-dependent HIF1a signaling is cell-type
specific. This project will serve as a mentored research experience of a trainee who is underrepresented in the
field of biomedical research. The candidate will test the hypothesis that IH-dependent cell-autonomous HIF1a
signaling among VGLUT1 positive and parvalbumin positive cells mediate unique changes to
electrophysiological properties in the hippocampus while also causing stage dependent changes to adult
neurogenesis. This hypothesis will be tested using a combination of transgenic mouse technologies,
electrophysiology, and cell imaging approaches. The knowledge gained from this work will provide mechanistic
insights that may inform the development of effective therapies for cognitive decline in sleep apnea while also
enhancing trainee diversity within the field of study.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10302877
- **Project number:** 3R01NS107421-03S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Alfredo J Garcia
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $27,717
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10302877

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10302877, Neurocognitive Consequences of Intermittent Hypoxia (3R01NS107421-03S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10302877. Licensed CC0.

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