# BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 1994 · $633,612

## Abstract

The unifying goal of this program project proposal is to define the
principles governing normal nervous system developmental processes that may
lead to brain dysfunction and mental retardation.  The studies for the most
part are basic in nature, focussing on various aspects of the cell and its
environment that are involved in overall developmental processes; including
examination of the extracellular matrix (ECM), cell surface components and
possible external signals which provide the milieu for cell differentiation
an proliferation.  The derivative information from these proposed studies
should define specific loci where normal developmental processes may be
interrupted by external influences (soluble factors, cell surface or ECM
components) leading to abnormal nervous system development and mental
retardation.  In Project II, the structure and function of two chemically,
immunologically and developmentally distinct proteoglycans (PG) and their
putative role will be examined in normal brain and in a mouse mutant
exhibiting hydrocephalus.  In Project VII), the structure, function and
regulation of cranin, a laminin-binding protein of cell membranes will be
characterized.  As well, behavior and physiologic studies will be pursued
of rapid onset neurites in NG-108-15 cells in order to define more
precisely how living neural cells respond to laminin.  In Project (X),
combination of biochemical, immunocytochemical and electrophysiological
methods will be pursued to study the regulation and function of calcium
channels in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and the mechanisms by which
neurotransmitters activate calcium channel facilitation in these cells.  In
addition, mechanisms by which insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) increases
calcium uptake and catecholamine secretion in chromaffin cells will be
investigated.  In Project XI, the biochemical and molecular basis for the
importance of the cholinergic and enkephalinergic systems in the developing
central nervous system at two distinct biological periods, during neuronal
proliferation and neuronal differentiation will be established.  A
comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach using biochemical, pharmacologic,
morphologic and cell culture techniques with expanding emphasis on
molecular approaches will be used in all four projects.  The derivative
information from these proposed studies should define specific loci where
normal developmental processes may be interrupted by external influences
(soluble factors, cell surface or ECM components) leading to abnormal
nervous system development and mental retardation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2196660
- **Project number:** 5P01HD009402-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** ZUE9HKT2CLC9
- **Principal Investigator:** NANCY B SCHWARTZ
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $633,612
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1975-06-01 → 1997-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2196660

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2196660, BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION (5P01HD009402-19). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2196660. Licensed CC0.

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