How the cerebellum controls movement
Control of movements by the cerebellum
This project looks at how groups of brain cells in the cerebellum guide and correct movements so actions end where you want them to.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11286837 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying how the cerebellum fixes movement errors by recording activity from groups of nerve cells. They use animal models (macaques) and precise neural recordings to see how clusters of Purkinje cells and their partners encode ongoing movement and error signals. The team groups cells by how they respond to errors and then reads the combined signals to predict movement details. The work combines physiology, anatomy, and computational analysis to reveal population-level codes that could explain coordination problems in cerebellar disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cerebellar ataxia or other coordination problems, or those interested in participating in future translational trials or donating clinical data, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients whose movement problems stem from non-cerebellar causes (for example, purely peripheral nerve disease) or who cannot participate in research near Baltimore are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to diagnose or treat movement errors caused by cerebellar disorders and guide rehabilitation strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies by the team have shown promising population-level signals in the cerebellum, but translating those findings into human treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shadmehr, Reza — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shadmehr, Reza
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.