How magnetic brain stimulation affects the cerebellum's cells
Cellular Mechanisms of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cerebellar Cortex
This project looks at how magnetic pulses to the head influence cells in the cerebellum by combining lab recordings, computer simulations, and brain measurements during simple eye-movement tests in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166689 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will record electrical responses to magnetic pulses in preserved turtle cerebellum tissue to learn which cell parts are activated. They will use high-resolution computer models to map the electric fields that TMS creates inside the tissue and design a device to produce a consistent field for slice experiments. The team will then combine MEG, EEG, and TMS while people perform eye-movement (saccade) tasks to link the lab and model findings to human brain responses. This mixed approach aims to translate cellular-level findings into measures that can be recorded noninvasively in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who can safely undergo noninvasive brain stimulation and MEG/EEG testing and can perform simple eye-movement tasks, typically people without implanted metal or electronic devices and without seizure risk.
Not a fit: People with contraindications to TMS or MEG/EEG (for example, certain metal implants, pacemakers, or uncontrolled epilepsy) or whose conditions are unrelated to cerebellar function are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make cerebellar TMS safer and more effective by improving how pulses are targeted and interpreted for conditions involving movement, balance, or mood.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows TMS can change brain signals and behavior, but linking cellular responses in cerebellar tissue to human MEG/EEG recordings using this turtle-to-human approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Padmavathi Sundaram — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Patel, Padmavathi Sundaram
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.