NIH-funded research R01 grant

Accurate, low-cost trackerless neuronavigation for TMS

Official title: Accurate, low-cost, trackerless neuronavigation for transcranial magnetic stimulation

Funded at Duke University · NIH-11495167 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A low-cost, trackerless computer-vision system to guide transcranial magnetic stimulation by precisely locating brain targets on each patient.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2022
Project endFebruary 28, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$75,463
NIH project number3R01MH129733-05S1
Project IDNIH-11495167 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Individuals receiving TMS for depression, OCD, smoking cessation, or other brain-related conditions where precise targeting matters.

Less likely to help

Patients with head movement limitations or conditions that preclude TMS would not benefit from this targeting approach.

What this research studies

This grant aims to make TMS targeting more accurate and affordable by using consumer cameras and advanced computer vision to track head position during treatment. The approach would identify key head and brain landmarks to align stimulation with the intended cortical areas. If successful, it could reduce setup time, improve consistency between sessions, and potentially enhance treatment outcomes for people with brain disorders. The project is designed to fit into clinical workflows and could be tested in real patient settings as part of future trials.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Patients could receive more accurate and consistent TMS treatment with potentially better outcomes and lower equipment costs.

How similar studies have gone: Previous neuronavigation methods have improved accuracy but at higher cost and setup complexity; this project explores a novel trackerless approach with consumer hardware.

Where this research is happening

  • Duke University
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Peterchev, Angel V — Duke University
  • Study coordinator: Peterchev, Angel V

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.