Cerebello-cortical links that help balance in aging
Official title: Cerebello-cortical connectivity as an adaptive mechanism for balance control with aging
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11353087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will look at how communication between the cerebellum and cortex helps older adults keep their balance, with the goal of finding ways to support better stability.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $221,279 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG101558-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Healthy adults and older adults experiencing age-related balance changes who can participate in brain-imaging and movement testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to participate in brain-imaging or balance tasks may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
As people age, keeping balance becomes harder and falls can cause serious injury. This project explores how the cerebellum talks to the cerebral cortex during balance tasks and whether this communication adapts to aging. By studying brain activity and connectivity in adults 21 and older, researchers hope to identify brain patterns linked to better balance. The findings could point toward new approaches to maintain mobility and prevent falls in older adults. Participants will contribute by undergoing assessments that measure balance and brain signals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform new strategies to preserve balance and reduce fall risk in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Early work suggests cerebellar and cortical changes relate to balance; this study investigates the connectivity in aging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palmer, Jacqueline a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Palmer, Jacqueline a
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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.