Closed-loop brain stimulation to improve gait and stress in MS
Official title: Closed Loop Neuromodulation of Interhemispheric Dynamics to Improve Gait and Stress Outcomes in MS
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11440734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A personalized, real-time brain stimulation approach is tested to help adults with multiple sclerosis walk more smoothly and feel less stressed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $323,888 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD123461-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440734 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with multiple sclerosis who experience abnormal gait.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without MS or without gait-related symptoms may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how brain activity and movement are linked in people with MS and how a new dual-site, real-time stimulation method could restore balance between brain hemispheres during walking. Researchers will use EEG to guide targeted tACS stimulation while participants navigate obstacles, comparing real-time closed-loop stimulation to sham and baseline conditions. The study aims to see if aligning brain activity can improve gait and reduce stress, potentially improving day-to-day mobility and quality of life for people with MS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to personalized therapies that improve walking and reduce stress for people with MS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests brain stimulation can influence gait, but this real-time, dual-site, personalized approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yahya Al-Shargie, Fares — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yahya Al-Shargie, Fares
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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.