# MAPPING CONNECTIVITY ONTO POSTNATAL-BORN NEURONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $350,000

## Abstract

Continued neurogenesis represents a remarkable means of cellular and structural neural plasticity in adult brain
tissue, and elucidating the fundamental mechanisms that support and guide this phenomenon holds promise
towards developing future approaches towards repairing damaged or diseased nervous tissue. Data have
shown that numerous extrinsic physiological and pathological processes directly influence adult neurogenesis
and synaptic integration of newborn neurons. Notably, increased neural activity enhances adult neurogenesis,
synaptogenesis, and circuit remodeling, whereas decreased or altered neural activity compromises newborn
neuron survival and integration. To date however, the identities of inputs that convey activity-dependent changes
to newborn neurons, and the nature of their signaling in response to activity manipulations are only now
beginning to be revealed. In the previous granting period of this award, we have identified previously unknown
sources of input, and revealed novel neuromodulatory signaling mechanisms that contribute towards the activity-
dependent wiring of newborn neurons in the adult brain. Here we will expand upon these findings to better
understand the cellular mechanisms that promote the formation and stabilization of new synapses in adult brain
tissue, and further assay how manipulating these pathways affects the formation and/or remodeling of new brain
circuits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9883846
- **Project number:** 5R01NS078294-07
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Benjamin R Arenkiel
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $350,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-04-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9883846

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9883846, MAPPING CONNECTIVITY ONTO POSTNATAL-BORN NEURONS (5R01NS078294-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9883846. Licensed CC0.

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