# MODELS FOR SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING DISABILITIES

> **NIH NIH P01** · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · 1994 · $1,026,811

## Abstract

Immune-defective mice show developmental brain anomalies that are similar
to those seen in dyslexics and exhibit abnormal learning behaviors.
Dyslexics and their families may have a greater incidence of some immune
disorders.  In the first period of the Program Project, we documented
brain, behavioral and immunological abnormalities in strains of immune-
defective mice and searched for causes of the brain abnormalities.  We also
developed a second model of induced minor developmental brain anomalies,
which share many features of the spontaneous anomalies and offer
experimental advantages.  We carried out preliminary research that suggests
a special role of the uterine environment for some immunological and
behavioral characteristics.  The purpose of the continuation research is to
pursue lines of evidence that have been productive and convergent.  One is
the further study of minor developmental brain malformations.  A detailed
analysis of the onset and evolution of the spontaneous and induced brain
abnormalities will be carried out in the Anatomy 1 Research Project, which
will also look at the effect of timing and severity of the insult and the
effect of neuroprotective substances on the resultant brain lesion.
Changes in cellular and connectional architecture and behavior will be
described in standard and manipulated lesions by the Anatomy 2 and Behavior
research projects.  Behavior research will also look at effects of early
life experience and other ways of facilitating learning, including the use
of drugs.  The Embryo Transfer Research Project will assess the effects of
changing the uterine and neonatal environments on anatomy, immunology, and
behavior and at the effects of modulating autoimmunity in mothers.  A
Breeding Core will be established to insure uniform supply of difficult-to-
obtain animals.  A Neuroanatomy Core will screen brains arising in the
research components for anomalies.  A Data Registry and Processing Core
will keep and analyze databases arising from the components of the Program
Project.  It is expected that the proposed work will contribute to the
understanding of the onset, course, consequences, and causes of minor
cortical malformations with an aim to improving prevention and treatment of
learning disorders in children and adults.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198092
- **Project number:** 5P01HD020806-08
- **Recipient organization:** BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1CPANL3EWK4
- **Principal Investigator:** ALBERT Mark GALABURDA
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $1,026,811
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-09-01 → 1996-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198092

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198092, MODELS FOR SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING DISABILITIES (5P01HD020806-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198092. Licensed CC0.

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