# Identity of late-maturing amygdala neurons in humans and mice

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2022 · $708,993

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a key window for social/emotional development in humans. This period is characterized by
growth of the amygdala, which increases in both size and neuron number. We recently described a unique
form of neurodevelopment in the human amygdala paralaminar nuclei (PL). This region contains a population
of immature neurons that develop on a delayed timeline relative to other neurons. These neurons mature
during adolescence when they will form excitatory neurons. In preliminary studies in the mouse, a tractable
animal model, we found a population of immature neurons that share molecular, anatomical, and
morphological features with late-developing neurons in humans. Additionally, the timeline of their maturation
appears similar in both species. Although they remain immature during postnatal ages, these late-maturing
neurons are born during embryonic neurogenesis. The goal of this proposal is to uncover the development,
synaptic integration and molecular diversity of late-maturing amygdala neurons from genesis to functional
integration using both humans and mice. Using a combination of state of the art approaches, we propose to
accomplish this goal by: 1) Tracking the embryonic and postnatal developmental dynamics of late-maturing PL
neurons in mice (Specific Aim 1), 2) identifying when and how late-maturing amygdala neurons functionally
integrate into existing amygdala circuitry in mice (Specific Aim 2) and 3) uncovering and comparing
late-maturing PL neuron molecular diversity in mice and humans (Specific Aim 3). In this cross-species project
we will address major questions about the development and maturation of an unexplored form of neuron
development that occurs during the critical stage of adolescence. This work is an essential first step for future
studies of the role of these neurons in social/emotional behavior, mechanisms controlling their delayed
development, and their significance to human behavioral pathophysiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10520222
- **Project number:** 1R01MH128745-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Shawn Sorrells
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $708,993
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10520222

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10520222, Identity of late-maturing amygdala neurons in humans and mice (1R01MH128745-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10520222. Licensed CC0.

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