Brain-control interfaces that help people with paralysis reach and grasp more accurately
Official title: Examining Brain Areas to Identify Generalizable Neural Features to Improve Brain-Computer Interface Precision and Reliability
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11431957 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to make brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) better at translating neural signals into smooth, reliable hand movements for people with paralysis, especially when reaching for new objects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $580,517 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS150468-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11431957 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with paralysis or acquired brain injury who could use or benefit from BCI-assisted hand movements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose paralysis is not related to motor cortex dysfunction or who do not use BCIs may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a paralysis affecting hand movement, this project aims to improve how BCIs translate brain signals into grasping and reaching motions. Researchers will test how wrist position, hand shape, and new directions affect the ability to pick up unfamiliar objects. They will develop and compare decoding methods to make movement timing more natural and to use more neural information for better accuracy. Recordings will come from several brain areas involved in planning and guiding hand movements, using tasks that mimic real-world grasping. The work could lead to more intuitive control of robotic or stimulated limbs for daily activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make BCIs feel more natural and reliable for people with paralysis, helping them reach and grasp with less training.
How similar studies have gone: Past work shows that decoding neural signals can enable grasping, but improving generalization to novel movements remains challenging and is being actively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rouse, Adam G — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rouse, Adam G
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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.