# Temporal Specification of Basal Forebrain Circuitry

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2020 · $517,058

## Abstract

Project Summary
The septum is a structure in the basal forebrain that has critical roles in regulating
emotional states including fear, anxiety and depression. Despite our growing appreciation
for the importance of lateral septal circuit function in modulating emotional states, we know
very little about the specific functions of the diverse septal neuron cell types and even less
about the developmental mechanisms that create this diversity. We have identified the
transcriptional regulator Prdm16 (Positive Regulatory Domain- containing 16), as being a
critical component for regulating the production of distinct subtypes of neurons in the lateral
septum. Our studies of Prdm16 serve as an entry point to understanding the relevant
genetic programs and progenitor types regulating the development and specification of
diverse septal neuron subtypes. In this proposal we plan to utilize single-cell RNA
sequencing to map the developmental trajectories and overall diversity of neuronal cell
types in the septum. The results from these studies will provide a foundation for
understanding the development and function of temporally specified septum neuron types,
and their contribution to behavioral circuits.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971728
- **Project number:** 1R01MH119156-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** COREY C HARWELL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $517,058
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971728

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971728, Temporal Specification of Basal Forebrain Circuitry (1R01MH119156-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971728. Licensed CC0.

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