Exploring how the brain controls flexible movements
Official title: Understanding the Distributed Control of Flexible Behavior
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10889952 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us change our movements when things around us change, using mice to learn more about the brain areas involved, and it could help us understand conditions like autism and OCD that affect how we adapt our behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $76,756 |
| NIH project number | 5F32NS131217-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889952 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related behavioral conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to flexible movement control or those who do not exhibit behavioral flexibility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's motor networks enable flexible behavior, such as adjusting movements in response to changing environments. By using a behavioral model in mice, the study aims to understand the interactions between key brain regions involved in movement control, including the primary motor cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The approach includes advanced neurophysiological techniques and genetic manipulations to uncover the mechanisms behind flexible movement production. This research could provide insights into disorders that impair flexible behavior, such as autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for conditions that affect flexible behavior in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding motor control through similar neurophysiological approaches, although the specific interactions among these brain regions remain largely unexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemke, Stefan — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lemke, Stefan
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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.