Mapping the brain changes in essential tremor and understanding neurodegeneration
Official title: Deep Dive: Mapping the Neuropathology of Essential Tremor and Exploring the Molecular Underpinnings of Neurodegeneration
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11023052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the brains of people who had essential tremor to find out how the condition affects different parts of the brain, which could help us understand it better and improve treatments for those living with it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $839,094 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117745-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with essential tremor, particularly those who may be willing to donate their brain tissue postmortem.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with essential tremor who are not willing to participate in brain donation or those with other neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates essential tremor, a common neurological disorder affecting millions, by examining the brain tissue of individuals who had the condition. The team has established a comprehensive brain repository and is conducting detailed postmortem studies to identify specific patterns of degeneration in the cerebellum and other brain regions. By analyzing the connections within the brain's tremor circuits, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of the disease, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for individuals suffering from essential tremor.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding other neurodegenerative diseases through postmortem brain analysis, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Faust, Phyllis L — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Faust, Phyllis L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Vocal Tremor in Essential Tremor: Understanding Physiologic Cues in Older Adults
This grant studies why and how vocal tremor happens in people with essential tremor, aiming to better understand and describe voice changes in older adults.
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New therapies for essential tremor from cannabidiol mechanisms
A patient-facing overview of how cannabis-based medicines might help tremor by targeting specific brain receptors, aiming to find better and better tolerated treatments for essential tremor.
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A patients-facing study asks how essential tremor may be linked to dementia, with the goal of better understanding risks and potential biomarkers for people living with ET.
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A study aims to tailor tremor treatment for people 65 and older by refining a method that identifies which muscles cause tremor, with the goal of guiding practical, wearable relief options.
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PET scans to measure a brain protein (SV2A) in essential tremor
This project uses PET brain scans to look for changes in the SV2A protein in people with essential tremor to help diagnose and follow the condition over time.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.