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Department of Health and Human Services

MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOMEVISITING GRANT PROGRAM - PROJECT TITLE: NORTH DAKOTA MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING FORMULA AWARD (NORTH DAKOTA MIECHV) PROJECT DIRECTOR NAME: ALLISON MAHONEY RECIPIENT NAME: PREVENT CHILD ABUSE NORTH DAKOTA MAILING ADDRESS: 418 E BROADWAY AVE, STE 250, BISMARCK ND, 58501 CONTACT INFORMATION: (701) 223-9052; AMAHONEY@FAMILIESFLOURISH.ORG; WWW.PCAND.ORG ANNOTATION: THE NORTH DAKOTA MIECHV (ND MIECHV) PROGRAM PROVIDES VOLUNTARY, EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING SERVICES TO AT-RISK FAMILIES. ND MIECHV AIMS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES’ HEALTH OUTCOMES AND IMPROVE CARE COLLABORATION IN TARGETED COMMUNITIES. PREVENT CHILD ABUSE NORTH DAKOTA, ND MIECHV LOCAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES (LIAS), AND STATEWIDE PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN TRIBAL AND STATE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND SERVICE REFERRAL SYSTEMS FOR FAMILIES ACROSS NORTH DAKOTA. PROBLEM: MANY NORTH DAKOTA FAMILIES LIVE IN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WITH A LACK OF ACCESS TO MEDICAL, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE OPTIONS. HOME VISITING PROGRAMS ALLOW FAMILIES TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAKE SERVICE REFERRALS AND CONNECTIONS. FURTHERMORE, HOME VISITORS PROVIDE EDUCATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND POSITIVE PARENTING PRACTICES, EMPOWERING PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO RAISE HEALTHY, HAPPY FAMILIES. PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF ND MIECHV IS TO CONNECT FAMILIES WITH ONE OR MORE RISK FACTORS OF POOR HEALTH OR SOCIAL OUTCOMES, LIVING IN HIGH-NEEDS AREAS, WITH TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO MORE EASILY ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, PARENTING EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: THE MAJOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NORTH DAKOTA MIECHV PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOWS: GOAL 1: INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF MIECHV PROGRAMS TO IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING SERVICES. OBJ. 1: BY JUNE 30, 2027, ND MIECHV LIAS WILL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING HOME VISITOR PERFORMANCE, MIECHV PERFORMANCE MEASURE PROGRESS, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPROVEMENT. OBJ. 2: BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2027, SITE SUPERVISORS OF MIECHV FUNDED LIAS WILL DEVELOP AND MANAGE INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ALL HOME VISITORS, BASED ON BIANNUAL STAFF ASSESSMENT. GOAL 2: COORDINATE WITH LOCAL, TRIBAL, STATE, AND PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT. OBJ. 1: BY SEPTEMBER, 29,2027 ND MEICHV WILL IDENTIFY AND ADVOCATE FOR HOME VISITING PROGRAMS IN THEIR ABILITY TO BECOME REGISTERED MEDICAID-APPROVED PROVIDERS. OBJ. 2: BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2027, ND MIECHV AND THE ND HOME VISITING COALITION WILL PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON WHAT A PLAN FOR A COORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR FAMILY-BASED SERVICES COULD LOOK LIKE WITHIN THE STATE. GOAL 3: ENSURE ACCURATE DATA COLLECTION, INTERPRETATION, AND REPORTING, AS WELL AS CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. (CQI). OBJ. 1: BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2027 ND MIECHV WILL DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM LEVEL DATA REPORTING PROCESS MAP. OBJ. 2: BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2027 ND MIECHV LIA'S WILL MONITOR THEIR LOCAL DATA PROCESS AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. METHODOLOGY NORTH DAKOTA MIECHV USES TWO EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING MODELS TO SERVE 184 FAMILIES. PARENTS AS TEACHERS IS UTILIZED TO SERVE 90 FAMILIES ON THE TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS RESERVATION IN ROLETTE COUNTY AND 40 FAMILIES ON THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE RESERVATION IN SIOUX COUNTY. NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP IS UTILIZED TO SERVE 54 FAMILIES IN BURLEIGH, MORTON, SIOUX, AND GRANT COUNTY THE ADDITION OF KIDDER, LOGAN, OLIVER AND EMMONS AS A RESULT OF THE AMENDED NEEDS ASSESSMENT. NORTH DAKOTA MIECHV PRIORITY POPULATIONS INCLUDE FAMILIES THAT ARE LOW INCOME, INCLUDE PARENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 21, HAVE A HISTORY OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, HAVE A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE, USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY.MATCHING FUNDS ARE NOT BEING REQUESTED AS THE AGENCY WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS FROM A NONFEDERAL AGEN

Department of Health and Human Services

MATERNAL, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOMEVISITING GRANT PROGRAM - THE MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING (MIECHV) PROGRAM AIMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN, SUPPORT POSITIVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND STRENGTHEN THE HOME VISITING WORKFORCE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL INCREASE FAMILY PARTICIPATION IN EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING MODELS AND BROADEN COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH IN UNDERSERVED AREAS THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THE NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP (NFP). THE PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE RESPECTFUL AND EFFECTIVE CARE BY TRAINING STAFF TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE. WE WILL ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES MANY FAMILIES FACE INCLUDING LIMITED HEALTHCARE ACCESS, ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS, AND BARRIERS TO WELLNESS BY OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER OUTCOMES FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. PROBLEM: OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH. THESE INCLUDE ELEVATED RATES OF PRETERM BIRTHS AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHTS, PARTICULARLY AMONG FAMILIES WITH LOWER INCOMES. WE ALSO AIM TO RESPOND TO RELATED CONCERNS SUCH AS POVERTY, SUBSTANCE USE, AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT MANY HOUSEHOLDS. PURPOSE: TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES, ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY, AND ENSURE ALL MOTHERS AND CHILDREN RECEIVE CONSISTENT, HIGH-QUALITY SUPPORT BY IMPLEMENTING TWO EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING MODELS—NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP (NFP) AND HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA (HFA)—ALONG WITH WRAPAROUND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: GOAL: IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE AND INCREASE ENROLLMENT IN THE NFP AND HFA PROGRAMS TO SERVE 104 FAMILIES BY 2026. OBJECTIVES: PARTNER WITH TWO ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO INCREASE REFERRALS. CONDUCT AT LEAST THREE INDEPENDENT OR COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS ANNUALLY. PROVIDE ALL STAFF WITH TRAINING IN CULTURAL SENSITIVITY AND INCLUSIVE CARE PRACTICES WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HIRING. EXPAND WORKFORCE CAPACITY BY RECRUITING AND TRAINING NEW HOME VISITORS WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. OFFER COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF. APPROACH: THE PROGRAM WILL UTILIZE ELIGIBLE, EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING MODELS, INCLUDING NFP AND HFA. THE NFP MODEL SUPPORTS FIRST-TIME MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN, OFFERING SERVICES FROM PREGNANCY THROUGH THE CHILD’S SECOND BIRTHDAY. THE HFA MODEL SERVES FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CHALLENGES SUCH AS SINGLE PARENTHOOD, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, AND HISTORIES OF TRAUMA OR ABUSE. HFA SERVICES BEGIN DURING PREGNANCY OR SHORTLY AFTER BIRTH (BEFORE THE CHILD IS THREE MONTHS OLD) AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE CHILD TURNS THREE. COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT INCLUDES LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, TEEN MOTHERS, AND THOSE AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, OR OTHER RISK FACTORS WILL BE PRIORITIZED. THE PROPOSED CASELOAD INCLUDES 104 FAMILY SLOTS IN FY26 AND 120 IN FY27. MATCHING FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES THROUGH THE HIRING OF ADDITIONAL STAFF AND INCREASED ENROLLMENT CAPACITY. THESE FUNDS WILL ALSO BE USED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL FAMILY SUPPORT SUPPLIES AND HOST FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. STAFF DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PRIORITIZED THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE HOME VISITING EXPERTISE, INCLUDING MODEL-SPECIFIC TRAINING, CPR/AED/FIRST AID CERTIFICATION, AND LACTATION SUPPORT TRAINING. MATCHING FUNDS WILL FURTHER BE USED TO MAINTAIN CONTRACTS WITH BOTH NFP AND HFA. THE PROGRAM INTENDS TO UTILIZE THE FULL UNOBLIGATED MATCHING WAIVER OF $199,999 TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS.

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Funds mental health policy research and community programs.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an epidemic, evident from its substantial global prevalence and burden, and is driving other major public health issues, including economic consequences. More than 30% of individuals living with MDD demonstrate no response to two or more antidepressant interventions and ultimately exhibit treatment resistance. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a safe, evidence-based, and non-invasive neuromodulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression. TMS utilizes electromagnetic induction to create an electric current in the brain, depolarizing cortical neurons and eliciting neurophysiological and behavioral effects. TMS works by inducing neuroplasticity, both within the stimulated cortex and its broader connected networks. However, the current efficacy rate of TMS for MDD remains up to 60%. This variability in treatment response may partially result from current clinical TMS approaches failing to incorporate the influence of brain dynamics at the time of stimulation on the neuroplastic effects and therapeutic outcomes. In line with this notion, it may be possible to reliably improve TMS response by enhancing the TMS-induced neuroplasticity through synchronizing the stimulation with ongoing neural activity. An oscillation-locked stimulation protocol delivers stimulation timed to a certain phase of an endogenous neural oscillation, which has been shown to modulate the ongoing brain activity in a more selective manner. Specifically, oscillation-locked stimulation can reliably produce opposing neuroplastic outcomes of potentiation or depression, depending on whether a pulse occurs at a negative-going or positive-going phase of a local oscillatory potential. Initial investigations and my Preliminary Data indicate that this effect is present in the human left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a critical hub in circuits governing cognitive and affective functions and the most common clinical TMS target. However, these findings have not been extensively examined, and the impact of oscillation-locked TMS on neuroplasticity has not been fully delineated. I will aim to bridge this knowledge gap by elucidating how precise, oscillation-locked TMS induces local and network neuroplasticity and by examining how these effects vary across the spectrum of depressive severity. My central hypothesis is that the phase of the ongoing oscillatory activity at the time of stimulation will differentially modulate both local (Aim 1) and network (Aim 2) neuroplasticity in adults without psychiatric diagnoses and those with MDD. This study will advance our theoretical understanding of clinically relevant neuroplasticity and investigate the potential of developing a brain state-dependent TMS protocol to effectively modulate relevant brain networks. In addition to completing the proposed research study under the Kirschstein-NRSA Fellowship, I will pursue rigorous clinical and career development activities to fulfill the requirements for my MD and PhD degrees and establish myself as an independent physician-scientist with expertise in neuromodulation.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY To address challenges in scaling speech-based biomarker (SBB) research and diagnostics, the applicant developed and piloted a mobile app for daily SBB capture (“Fabla”), funded by the Georgia CTSA (UL1TR002378). In alignment with NIMH priorities of identifying biomarkers of mental illness and innovations in digital health technologies, this K01 project will validate and optimize Fabla for assessing SBBs associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a community sample. Candidate: Dr. Kaplan is a clinical psychologist with an extensive background in ecological assessment, acquired through doctoral training and an F32 NRSA fellowship. An Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, her career aim is to lead an R01- funded program of research that develops and implements mobile SBB technologies for screening, treatment, and relapse monitoring of depression and other mental health concerns. Training: Dr. Kaplan’s career goals require additional training in technology-specific domains that are crucial for translational SBB research: technology co-design, mobile app product management and specification (including clinical ethics concerns), and expanded training in biostatistics, including paralinguistic feature analysis. Accordingly, this K01 leverages multidisciplinary training in Emory’s departments of Psychiatry, Biomedical Engineering, and Bioinformatics. Training includes formal coursework, individualized training with mentors, and structured career development support. Mentoring: This K01 adopts a co-primary mentorship model and is jointly sponsored by Wilbur Lam, MD, PhD (Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Vice Provost of Entrepreneurship, and a leader in mobile diagnostics) and Barbara Rothbaum, PhD (Professor of Psychiatry with expertise in mood disorders and mental health technology development). Co-mentors and significant contributors bring expertise in co-design (Gari Clifford, DPhil), paralinguistic analytics (Gari Clifford, DPhil and Shrikanth Narayanan, PhD), machine learning (Anant Madabhushi, MD), MDD (Boadie Dunlop, MD, MSc), and recruiting and engaging older adults (Madeleine Hackney, PhD) Research: Leveraging established research partnerships with multiple Emory clinics and active longitudinal community studies, this project recruits n=300 individuals (n=150 with MDD, n=150 psychiatrically healthy) to complete a brief voice diary using the Fabla app for 10 days. The project aims to (1) optimize Fabla for MDD screening using co-design methodology, (2) characterize Fabla-assessed SBBs and their preliminary convergent validity with published norms, and (3) evaluate predictive validity of Fabla- assessed SBBs for predicting MDD using machine learning. Products include six planned manuscripts; a structured data repository to facilitate norm development; updates to the Fabla app; and R34 and R01 grants submitted by the applicant. Environment: The candidate receives strong institutional support from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. The training environment includes multiple Emory/Georgia Tech health technology institutes and Emory Outpatient Psychiatry, the site for the applicant’s planned R01.

National Institutes of Health

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is intended to support mental health and/or substance abuse services research, as well as broader-based alcohol or drug abuse research in rapidly evolving areas (e.g., changes in service systems, health care financing, policy, etc) where opportunities for empirical study are, by their very natures, only available through expedited award of support. This FOA will utilize the R03 mechanism, and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope (PAR-05-150) that solicits applications under the traditional research project grant (R01), and the Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Intervention and Services Research (R34) (PAR-06-250) mechanisms. The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The R03 is not renewable. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the number, scientific merit, overall quality, duration, and costs of the applications received, as well as on the funds available at the participating NIH Institutes/Centers.

National Institutes of Health

This FOA is intended to support mental health and alcohol abuse services research in both public and private settings that examine rapidly evolving areas (e.g., changes in service systems, health care financing, policy, etc) where opportunities for empirical study are, by their very natures, only available through expedited award of support. This FOA will utilize the R34 grant mechanism, and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope that solicits applications under the traditional research project grant (R01, through PAR-05-150), and the small research grant (R03, through PAR-06-249) mechanisms. Relevant to this FOA, the NIMH R34 is intended to encourage research on innovative services research that require preliminary testing or development. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the number, scientific merit, overall quality, duration, and costs of the applications received, as well as on the funds available at the participating NIH Institutes/Centers.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY Acetaminophen, which is found in more than 600 prescription and non-prescription medications for mild to moderate pain and fever reduction, is not restricted to pharmacies and is sold over-the-counter in many countries, including the United States. In most populations worldwide, over 50% of pregnant people report taking acetaminophen, which easily crosses the placenta and fetal blood brain barrier, potentially affecting fetal brain development. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have traditionally viewed acetaminophen as posing minimal risks to the fetus when used as directed but have called for more rigorous studies and better safety data to inform their recommendations on how pain medicines are used during pregnancy. Accumulating evidence from epidemiologic and animal research highlights potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with prenatal acetaminophen exposure, yet limitations remain in the literature preventing regulatory agencies from assessing whether these associations are causal. Prior studies could be confounded by genetic or familial factors, and mechanisms linking acetaminophen with adverse neurodevelopment remain unknown, limiting our ability to develop targets for harm reduction. While adjusting for a robust set of genetic, environmental, and familial factors, this proposal aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms and genetic effect modifiers of associations between prenatal acetaminophen and adverse neurodevelopment. During the mentored K99 phase, I will receive training from leaders in pediatrics, child psychiatry and psychology, pharmacogenomics, metabolomics, and multi-omics. I will combine this training with my prior expertise in prenatal acetaminophen research and epidemiology to model associations of maternal blood biomarkers of acetaminophen with a broad spectrum of child neurodevelopmental outcomes, including ADHD. I will investigate genotype by prenatal acetaminophen interactions on child neurodevelopment (K99 Aim 1) and conduct a Metabolome-Wide Association Study (MWAS) of prenatal acetaminophen exposure (K99 Aim 2) in a single site study. Genetic expertise gained from the K99 training and Aim 1 will enable me to explore genotype by prenatal acetaminophen interactions in a meta-regression analysis of multiple cohorts (R00 Aim 3), which will require advanced methods accounting for heterogeneity in allelic effects by ancestry. Metabolomics and multi-omics expertise gained from the K99 training and Aim 2 will enable me to conduct MWAS in this multi-cohort setting, and employ multi-omics pathway integration to uncover biological pathways altered by prenatal acetaminophen (R00 Aim 4). Through this K99/R00 award, I will gain subject matter expertise in developmental psychopathology and molecular analytic skills in precision medicine, pharmacogenetics, metabolomics, and multi-omics. These research and training opportunities will prepare me to lead an independent lab harmonizing omics and epidemiologic approaches to study molecular mechanisms linking prenatal exposures with neurodevelopment.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

ABSTRACT Schizophrenia is a complex disorder characterized by positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Antipsychotic medications, which bind to dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs), are effective at treating positive and negative symptoms. Adequate treatment for cognitive symptoms however, originating from aberrant hippocampal and prefrontal signaling, remains elusive. An emerging target in schizophrenia treatment is another member of the D2 family, the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R). Newly developed second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) functioning as D3R agonists, such as cariprazine, show signs of cognitive symptom relief. Additionally, recent work from our lab has shown differential D3R signaling among different classes of SGAs in hippocampus CA1. Despite evidence implicating D3Rs in the treatment of schizophrenia cognitive symptoms, a clear understanding of hippocampal D3R expression and function remains unclear. Here I propose that within hippocampus CA1 dopamine D3Rs are the most widely expressed D2 family receptor and are a key mediator of hippocampal network function. Moreover, I will test the central hypothesis that D3Rs are the predominant D2 family receptor affecting hippocampal circuit function and that hippocampal D3R signaling is a core cellular mechanism of antipsychotic action. The effect of SGAs targeting the D2 family of receptors is often attributed to D2R action due to limited access differentiating between D2Rs and D3Rs. New pharmacology and in-situ approaches now allow for specific characterization of D2Rs and D3Rs. My preliminary data shows that significantly more CA1 cells express D3R transcripts than D2R. This indicates that D3Rs are the dominant D2 family receptor subtype in CA1, warranting further investigation of hippocampal D3R function. Indeed, my preliminary data demonstrates D3R agonism induces significant effects on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission within CA1. Here, we will explore how D3Rs regulate both synaptic and intrinsic features of excitability in hippocampal circuits using electrophysiological and imaging approaches. Previous work from our lab has outlined a D3R specific mechanism of SGA axon initial segment calcium modulation in CA1 pyramidal cells. This modulation provides another avenue for D3Rs to alter CA1 spiking and hippocampal output in addition to changes in CA1 synaptic transmission. The diverse array of D3R mediated CA1 synaptic and firing properties could serve as potential sites for D3R specific SGA action. We will test this hypothesis through the pursuit of three aims. Aim 1: To determine the expression profile of SGA-targeted dopamine receptors in hippocampus CA1. Aim 2: To determine the mechanism by which dopamine D3 receptors regulate hippocampus CA1 function. Aim 3: To determine how SGAs affect dopamine D3 receptor-dependent hippocampus CA1 circuitry. We expect this work to uncover the cellular mechanisms of D3R activity in CA1 and the D3R specific actions of SGA treatment. This will not only advance our understanding of hippocampal dopaminergic signaling, but delineate cellular mechanisms of SGA action informing new therapeutic targets for treating schizophrenia cognitive symptoms.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

5. ABSTRACT The Alkema lab investigates how internal states and environmental cues are integrated to regulate behavior. We are particularly interested in how animals prioritize competing drives and how these behavioral choices are shaped by signals from both the nervous system and the intestine. We use C. elegans as a model because it offers a uniquely powerful combination of a defined neural circuit, robust genetic tools, optical transparency, and a simple gut-brain axis. Our work examines how the nervous system sustains stable behavioral states like foraging, while preserving the flexibility to switch rapidly into high-arousal states like escape in response to threat. We have shown that tyramine, the invertebrate analog of adrenaline, coordinates the independent motor programs of the flight response. While tyramine drives escape and arousal responses, serotonin promotes feeding and the exploitation of food resources. We are testing the hypothesis that these two neuromodulators interact through mutual inhibition, forming a dynamic switch that prioritizes behavior based on internal state and environmental context. A second major question we address is how the nervous system regulates gut physiology. We find that tyramine and serotonin produce strikingly different patterns of intestinal calcium dynamics. We are using these differences to uncover molecular mechanisms of how the nervous system modulates gut function and internal states. We have developed tools to track behavior and intestinal calcium dynamics in real time, enabling us to investigate how neural, genetic, and microbial factors regulate gut activity. We have identified novel mutants that disrupt intestinal calcium rhythms, implicating metabolic signals as key regulators of gut-brain communication. Finally, we are working to define how physiological states, such as hunger, satiety and stress, are encoded in the gut and how gut-derived signals, in turn, influence brain function. Our findings support the view that the intestine acts as a neuroendocrine organ, integrating neural, metabolic, and microbial cues to regulate the release of gut-derived peptides, including insulin-like and neuropeptides. By combining behavioral assays, genetics, metabolomics, and in vivo imaging, our lab aims to uncover molecular mechanisms by which the gut and brain coordinate internal state and adaptive behavior. Understanding how internal and behavioral states are generated and modulated is essential for defining the general principles of gut-brain communication. This research will illuminate how neuromodulatory, metabolic, and intestinal signals are integrated to shape adaptive behavior. Given the evolutionary conservation of these pathways, discoveries in C. elegans may reveal novel and broadly relevant mechanisms of brain-gut signaling that are important for human mental and physiological health.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The axon initial segment (AIS) governs key processes of action potential generation and neuronal polarity. The functions of AIS are often perturbed in brain conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Given its prominent placement and crucial role in dynamic neuronal signaling and communication, the AIS has long been recognized as a hotspot for protein phosphorylation. However, our knowledge of the AIS-specific phospho- regulators, i.e., kinases and phosphatases, is surprisingly lacking. Without this critical information, researchers face a significant challenge in understanding how protein phosphorylation at the AIS is regulated in health and impacted in various brain conditions. In this proposal, we will identify unique protein phosphatase subunits enriched at the AIS, and uncover the distinct molecular mechanisms that recruit them to the AIS (Aim 1). We will then dissect the molecular, electrophysiological, and behavioral phenotypes associated with these subunits by experimentally perturbing their expression (Aim 2). Finally, we will investigate how AIS-enriched kinases contribute to the regulation of AIS cytoskeletal dynamics and the neuronal activity adaptation during plasticity (Aim 3). In summary, we aim to identify new mechanisms underlying the AIS enrichment of specific factors that regulate protein phosphorylation, and elucidate their distinct contributions to AIS function, neuronal signaling, and behavior. The successful completion of this project will significantly advance the field of AIS neurobiology, and provide critical insights into the pathophysiology of brain disorders related to AIS functions.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

Mechanisms of Satellite Oligodendroglia-Neuron Interaction in Brain Maturation Abstract During postnatal brain maturation, neurons acquire functional properties that are essential for shaping cognitive and motor functions. Disruptions in this maturation process, whether due to injury or genetic abnormalities, are implicated in a range of neurological disorders, including autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy, significantly impacting quality of life. A major obstacle to developing therapies that promote or support healthy brain maturation is the limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Glial cells play a crucial role in neuronal maturation by supporting synapse formation, synaptic pruning, and axonal myelination, which are all essential for establishing functional neural circuits. Recently, using a mouse genetic Cre-LoxP system, we found that oligodendroglia transfer nuclear and ribosomal material to neurons. This process, termed oligodendroglia-neuron material transfer (ONMT), occurs in the cortex, hippocampal dentate gyrus and striatum during a critical period of neuronal maturation. We identified satellite oligodendroglia (SOL) forming nuclear pairs with receiving neurons and SOL-neuron pairs with loss of plasma membrane integrity, suggesting a possibility of direct ONMT. The role of SOL-neuron interaction and ONMT in neuronal maturation, as well as the mechanisms involved, remain largely unknown. This exploratory proposal will test the hypothesis that during brain maturation SOL transfer material to neurons through direct internuclear contact. In Aim 1, we will identify neurons receiving SOL-derived material during maturation and explore the triggers of ONMT. To achieve this, we will use spatial transcriptomics to capture single-cell transcriptional profiles of SOL-neuron nuclear pairs in both healthy developing cortex and in neuroinflammatory conditions that promote SOL-neuron interactions and ONMT. In Aim 2, we will investigate whether SOL transfer material to neurons via an internuclear mechanism. This will involve using 2-photon live imaging to track SOL migration, SOL-neuron interactions, material transfer, and SOL fate during postnatal maturation. Our study aims to uncover novel insights into the previously unrecognized process of ONMT during a critical period of neuronal maturation, paving the way for targeted therapeutic strategies to promote brain maturation in children with developmental delays.

NIA - National Institute on Aging

Project summary/abstract It is well-understood that life-relevant changes in independence occur as early warnings of lost cognitive resilience, and eventually Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD). We and others demonstrated that medication self-administration (MSA) provides exactly the opportunity needed for early identification of ADRD. However, several knowledge gaps hinder routine assessment of this critical health self-management skill in current care. We lack studies directly comparing self-reported measures and objective, convenient MSA assessments in the general population. In addition, the impact of CVD and cognitive risk factors on MSA errors and MSA overestimation, strong predictors of memory performance and daily life functional independence, is unclear. To address these challenges, we propose to perform an objective MSA assessment in the Framingham Heart Study. This cohort has well-characterized cognitive assessment for up to three decades. An estimated 1185 surviving participants from the second-generation and Omni 1 Framingham Heart Study cohorts are expected to participate as part of their 11th /6th comprehensive health examination, starting September 2025. Our central hypothesis is that MSA errors and self- overestimation are early indicators of disabling brain and behavior changes. In Aim 1, we will cross-sectionally associate MSA errors and MSA self-overestimation, using the Hopkins Medication Schedule and a visual vertical scale, with behavioral- (neuropsychological performance) and brain-based ADRD biomarkers (atrophy, white matter change). In Aim 2, we will associate MSA assessment with a trajectory of cognitive decline on the Mini-Mental State (MMSE) and neuropsychological testing, as occurs in ADRD. In Aim 3, we will establish whether MSA assessment predicts greater care needs and life-relevant disability, examining the Allocation of Caregiver Time Survey, ER visits and hospitalizations, physical activities, and physical performance. MSA assessment is brief and feasible, with potentially greater public health value value than standard generic cognitive screening. We expect that our study will establish a role for objective MSA assessment in geriatric and cognitive care, and we also expect our research results to improve the MSA assessment standard used in pharmaceutical trials that enroll the aged.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis

Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis

The purpose of this program is to expand and enhance access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), increasing access to treatment and recovery for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and decreasing illicit opioid use, prescription opioid misuse and overdose.

Mental Health America

Funds community mental health programs and advocacy initiatives.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis

Mental Health Awareness Training Grants

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis

The purpose of this program is to facilitate the implementation of mental health awareness and literacy training.NOTE: Up to 3 awards will be made to tribes/tribal organizations pending sufficient application volume.

National Institutes of Health

-Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites research grant applications for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific understanding of the etiology of psychopathology related to violence and trauma, as well as studies to develop and test effective treatments, services, and prevention strategies in this area. Areas of particular interest to the NIMH include interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple levels of inquiry (e.g., psychological, neurobiological, genetic) and scientific tools (e.g., ecological assessment, neuroimaging, microarrays) for psychopathology risk modeling, identification of highly predictive markers of pathology, and improved diagnostics; translation of basic behavioral and neuroscience findings on resiliency and risk for intervention development and testing; and strategies for effective service provision, particularly where non-specialty systems (i.e., primary care) may be required to provide mental health services. -Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism, and runs in parallel with FOAs of similar scientific scope, PA-07-313, which solicits applications under the Small Grant (R03) mechanism; PA-07-314, which solicits applications under the Exploratory/Development Grant (R21) mechanism; and PAR-07-315, which solicits applications under the Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Interventions and Services (R34) mechanism. -Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

National Institutes of Health

Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites research grant applications for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific understanding of the etiology of psychopathology related to violence and trauma, as well as studies to develop and test effective treatments, services, and prevention strategies in this area. Areas of particular interest to the NIMH include interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple levels of inquiry (e.g., psychological, neurobiological, genetic) and scientific tools (e.g., ecological assessment, neuroimaging, microarrays) for psychopathology risk modeling, identification of highly predictive markers of pathology, and improved diagnostics; translation of basic behavioral and neuroscience findings on resiliency and risk for intervention development and testing; and strategies for effective service provision, particularly where non-specialty systems (i.e., primary care) may be required to provide mental health services. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) award mechanism, and runs in parallel with FOAs of similar scientific scope, PA-07-312, which solicits applications under the Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism; PA-07-314, which solicits applications under the Exploratory/Development Grant (R21) mechanism; and PAR-07-315, which solicits applications under the Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Interventions and Services (R34) mechanism. The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Budget and Project Period. Budgets for direct costs of up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to two years may be requested for a maximum of $100,000 direct costs over a two-year project period. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); State Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Regional Organization; Other(s): Eligible agencies of the Federal government, Faith-based or community-based organizations.

National Institutes of Health

Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites research grant applications for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific understanding of the etiology of psychopathology related to violence and trauma, as well as studies to develop and test effective treatments, services, and prevention strategies in this area. Areas of particular interest to the NIMH include interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple levels of inquiry (e.g., psychological, neurobiological, genetic) and scientific tools (e.g., ecological assessment, neuroimaging, microarrays) for psychopathology risk modeling, identification of highly predictive markers of pathology, and improved diagnostics; translation of basic behavioral and neuroscience findings on resiliency and risk for intervention development and testing; and strategies for effective service provision, particularly where non-specialty systems (i.e., primary care) may be required to provide mental health services. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Development Grant (R21) award mechanism, and runs in parallel with FOAs of similar scientific scope, PA-07-312, which solicits applications under the Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism; PA-07-313, which solicits applications under the Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism; and PAR-07-315, which solicits applications under the Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Interventions and Services (R34) mechanism. The R21 grant mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Budget and Project Period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed two years. Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year. The R21 is not renewable. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); State Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Regional Organization; Other(s): Eligible agencies of the Federal government, Faith-based or community-based organizations.

National Institutes of Health

-Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites research grant applications for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific understanding of the etiology of psychopathology related to violence and trauma, as well as studies to develop and test effective treatments, services, and prevention strategies in this area. Areas of particular interest to the NIMH include interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple levels of inquiry (e.g., psychological, neurobiological, genetic) and scientific tools (e.g., ecological assessment, neuroimaging, microarrays) for psychopathology risk modeling, identification of highly predictive markers of pathology, and improved diagnostics; translation of basic behavioral and neuroscience findings on resiliency and risk for intervention development and testing; and strategies for effective service provision, particularly where non-specialty systems (i.e., primary care) may be required to provide mental health services. -Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIMH Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Interventions and Services (R34) award mechanism, and runs in parallel with FOAs of similar scientific scope, PA-07-312, which solicits applications under the Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism; PA-07-313, which solicits applications under the Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism; and PA-07-314, which solicits applications under the Exploratory/Development Grant (R21) mechanism. -The R34 mechanism is intended to encourage research on 1) the development and/or pilot testing of new or adapted interventions; 2) pilot testing interventions with demonstrated efficacy in broader scale effectiveness trials; or 3) innovative services research directions that require preliminary testing or development. This FOA provides resources for evaluating the feasibility, tolerability, acceptability and safety of novel approaches to improving mental health and modifying health risk behavior, and for obtaining the preliminary data needed as a pre-requisite to a larger-scale (efficacy or effectiveness) intervention or services study. -Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

Mental illnesses are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting more than 25% of the population in any year. Genetic studies for mental illnesses have made encouraging progress in the past decades. The NIMH Genomics Consortium Coordination Center (GC3) aims to transform genetics research in mental illnesses by bringing together NIMH-supported genomics data to build a resource for the community and power genomics discovery efforts for mental illnesses. GC3 will enhance interoperability of genomics datasets and facilitate collaborative research efforts. In Aim 1, the GC3 will establish and manage a network of NIMH-supported genomics projects to bring the community together, develop working groups to enable cross-consortium efforts; organize an annual in-person meeting; and coordinate the submission of data to the appropriate repositories. In Aim 2, GC3 will develop and implement a flexible phenotype harmonization strategy across study sites. This involves supporting working groups dedicated to phenotype harmonization and conducting comprehensive assessments of phenotyping protocols used across different studies. By aligning diagnostic and symptom-level data, we will ensure that the phenotypic information included with genomics datasets can be analyzed across sites, a critical step for advancing genomics discoveries in psychiatric disorders. In Aim 3, GC3 will conduct comprehensive genomic ingest, data harmonization and imputation for all samples. From the called and imuted of genetic variation, GC3 will also perform quality control to ensure that data from multiple sites are standardized and integrated. This allows for more powerful integrated analyses and ensures that genetic data is accessible and usable for a wide range of researchers. In Aim 4, we will integrate and distribute data and results to investigators. We will integrate genetic association analyses across sites, disorders, and studies, then create data browsers to facilitate broad and easy access to the results of genomic investigations into mental illnesses including common and rare variants association analyses. We will also distribute the results of phenotypic protocol harmonization. In Aim 5, we will develop and implement a comprehensive training program for members of the constituent NIMH-supported genomics projects. Through a structured training program, GC3 will organize annual workshops, develop an online learning platform, and facilitate a journal club to engage early career researchers. This comprehensive approach will galvanize psychiatric genetics research, foster collaboration, and advance research practices, to learn the biology of mental illnesses and ultimately helping to alleviate the burden these illnesses create in the United States of America.

Education Department

The Department of Education (Department) announces final priorities, requirements, and definitions under the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP), Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.184X. We may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and later years. These final priorities, requirements, and definitions are designed to better target activities to address shortages of school-based mental health services providers, specifically school psychologists, in high-need local educational agencies (LEAs). These priorities, requirements, and definitions replace the Notice of Final Priorities, Requirements, and Definitions published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60083). However, those priorities, requirements, and definitions remain in effect for previous grant competitions in which the notices inviting applications (NIAs) were published before the Department finalized the proposed priorities, requirements, and definitions in this notice.