# Assembly and characterization of human cortico-striatal neural networks

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $23,689

## Abstract

Disruptions of cortico-striatal network have been identified in association with many neurological and psychiatric
brain disorders, including Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by genetic
abnormalities in SHANK3. In this project, we will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate
the development of cortico-striatal connectivity in organoids under normal conditions and in association with
SHANK3 deficiency. We will generate cortical, striatal, and cortico-striatal organoids from control and isogenic
SHANK3-deficient deficient stem cells and characterize their cellular composition (Aim 1) and functional
connectivity (Aim 2). We will use “cutting-edge” techniques such as single-cell mRNA sequencing and chronically
implanted multi-electrode probes to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are regulated by
SHANK3. As most brain disorders impact several brain regions and disrupt interregional brain communication,
the ability to generate organoids representing multiple brain regions that replicate the complex nervous system
architecture and physiology will constitute a major breakthrough in brain disease modeling and drug discovery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11037433
- **Project number:** 3R01NS123849-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Oleksandr Shcheglovitov
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $23,689
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11037433

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11037433, Assembly and characterization of human cortico-striatal neural networks (3R01NS123849-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11037433. Licensed CC0.

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