How brain pathways control avoiding crashes while moving
Official title: Functional organization of descending neuron networks for collision avoidance
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11465890 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how brain signals control automatic movement to steer away from objects that are coming straight at you, using animals to understand this essential behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $547,255 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146463-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11465890 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient participants in this grant since it uses animal models to study basic brain circuitry.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in this grant.
What this research studies
This project uses animal models to map how descending brain pathways connect to motor circuits to create collision-avoidance actions. Researchers will study connections in the nervous system with high-resolution imaging to see how different pathways cooperate to produce flexible steering responses. The goal is to understand the organization and flow of information that enables safe and adaptive movement when an object is on a collision course. Findings could reveal general principles of motor control that apply to humans and other animals. The work combines detailed anatomical maps with functional tests to link structure to behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how the brain controls rapid, protective movements could inform treatments or interventions for movement disorders and improve safety in activities requiring quick motor responses.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies using complete connectomes have shown how neural circuits organize to drive behavior, supporting the feasibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Reyn, Catherine R — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Von Reyn, Catherine R
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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.