How brain inhibition helps prepare and control movement
Computational roles of inhibition in human action control
This project looks at how the brain's inhibitory signals shape and ready movements in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319034 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to do simple movement tasks while researchers record brain activity and measures linked to inhibitory brain chemicals. The team will combine noninvasive brain measurements (like scans and neurophysiology) with tasks that require preparing and executing actions to see how neural signals change. They will also relate those changes to levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in motor parts of the brain. The goal is to understand the brain computations that help people prepare and control movements.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who can perform simple movement tasks and are willing to attend in-person sessions at the University of Oregon for brain scans and noninvasive testing.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo brain scans or noninvasive brain stimulation (for example due to implanted devices, severe claustrophobia, or uncontrolled seizures) or who cannot follow task instructions would likely not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify mechanisms behind movement problems and help guide new treatments for conditions like stroke-related motor deficits or Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Animal experiments and human sensory-system studies support the role of inhibition in shaping neural responses, but applying these ideas to human motor preparation and directly linking them to neurochemical measures is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Eugene, United States
- University of Oregon — Eugene, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenhouse, Ian — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Greenhouse, Ian
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 below.