# Neural Mechanism for the assembly of GABAergic in the cerebral cortex

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2022 · $423,750

## Abstract

Project Summary
Dysfunction of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons is strongly associated with neurological
disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Although recent evidence
highlights bewildering subtype diversity of these neurons, the notion that developmental perturbations in
subtype function cause defects in the formation of cortical circuits with lasting functional deficits has not been
explored in detail. The long-term goal of this research is to uncover how early interneuron dysfunction in the
developing postnatal brain leads to lasting neurological pathologies. The objective of this proposal is to reveal
how the activity of specific interneuron populations during critical windows of perinatal development shape
circuits underlying primary sensory-dependent behavior.
To this end, we will use the murine barrel cortex as a well-established model for the study of activity-dependent
circuit maturation. We will focus our studies in superficial circuits since our previous work indicates that these
circuits are exquisitely sensitive to environmental perturbations in the neonate. In the near term, this proposal
is aimed at investigating the role of layer I interneuron subtypes in regulating the emergence of cortical
columns (Aim 1). In addition, this project will determine the role of LI interneurons in the emergence of
interhemispheric circuits. (Aim 2). Finally, we will assess how developmental defects in early LI interneuron
function lead to abnormal brain activity and impaired sensory integration in the adult (Aim 3).
With respect to the outcomes, our work is expected to identify basic mechanisms fundamental for the
emergency of a healthy excitatory/inhibitory balance. In addition, these results are expected to have a
significant translational impact because they will expand our mechanistic knowledge on how early interneuron
dysfunction may lead to behavioral abnormalities frequently observed in ASD patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10466396
- **Project number:** 2R01MH110553-06
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Natalia Vanesa De Marco Garcia
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $423,750
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10466396

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10466396, Neural Mechanism for the assembly of GABAergic in the cerebral cortex (2R01MH110553-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10466396. Licensed CC0.

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