# Functional circuit dissection of the Hcrt system - Diversity Supplement Kennedy

> **NIH NIH R21** · CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $26,684

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Diversity Supplement candidate will be trained in all aspects of manipulating the firing activity within the
lateral hypothalamus - locus coeruleus/VTA microcircuit by Interluminescence, testing efficacy of activity-
independent (Persist-Int) pre- to postsynaptic drive by electrophysiological recordings in vivo. The training
includes stereotaxic injections of AAV, acute extracellular recordings and computational electrophysiological
data analysis. The experimental approach will allow the candidate to assess the efficacy of Persist-Int within this
experimental paradigm while building a solid conceptual and experimental foundation for her future activities in
biomedical research.
The training experiences the candidate will gain are critical for her understanding and interpretation of state-of-
the-art neuroscience experiments. The training plan takes into consideration that the candidate is at the very
beginning of her research training and ensures that the candidate will have an exceedingly strong background
for entering the next phase of research training towards meeting her career goals. Her training will have ranged
from hands-on experience in executing in vivo experiments for controlling neural activity to evaluating and
interpreting the collected data. Therefore, this training in in vivo electrophysiology will not only significantly
contribute to the parent grant but will specifically provide her the experience required to pursue her long-term
interest in pursuing a career as a neuroscientist.
The proposed training outlined in the application is ideal given the candidate’s career stage and future plans and
is tailored to having the greatest impact within the shortest possible time. An established training strategy will
foster the candidate’s ability to swiftly reach a level where she can independently approach new projects and will
be an asset to any research lab where she continues her graduate training.
The proposed supplement activities will increase the parent award’s overall impact within the original scope of
award while at the same time advancing the training and career development of the candidate.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11054780
- **Project number:** 3R21MH135326-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Luis De Lecea
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $26,684
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-11-16 → 2025-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11054780

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11054780, Functional circuit dissection of the Hcrt system - Diversity Supplement Kennedy (3R21MH135326-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11054780. Licensed CC0.

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