The purpose of this grant is for the purchase of a Confocal Microscope for Core Research Support project.

The major goal is to increase primate holding capacity for the P51 base grant.

Basic Research

Cortical function is characterized by the dynamic interplay of two major forces: excitation and inhibition. A current belief is that dysfunction of inhibition. mediated by local GABAergic interneurons. leads to a wide range of neurological diseases such as epilepsy. autism. schizophrenia. PTSD. A well-established principle of the cortical circuit organization is that inhibition is local while excitation is both local and long-range; however. this ignores that inhibition may be long-range as well.

Cell-type specific manipulation of neural circuits is required for the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Precise control of neural circuits will enable the development of neuromodulation therapies for these debilitating conditions. Existing technologies to control neural activity offer limited possibilities.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing in number as the U.S. and global population gets older. Despite
 enormous effort and expense. treatment remains at best modestly effective and no new drugs have been approved
 since 2003 [1.2]. The increasing interest in drug discovery through repositioning old drugs for new therapeutic
 applications throw light in the treatment for neurodegenerative diseases including AD [3].

Southwest Research Institute has received funding from the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) administered by Advanced Technology International to develop a nerve agent antidote for emergency use on the battlefield or to protect public health.

Leaders of the newly-established San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics (SA PPT) have awarded the partnership’s first research grant. A seven-person team researching sepsis-induced organ failure will receive $200,000 in funding over two years. The award’s purpose is to advance research and breakthroughs in precision therapeutics, which is the development of drug therapies for specific populations based on genetics, lifestyle and environment.

Presidents of San Antonio’s four largest research institutions today announced they are providing $800,000, collectively, for a major initiative in precision therapeutics. The process of precision therapeutics ultimately leads to breakthrough treatments that can be individualized to specific patient populations.