How the cerebellum controls our movements
Official title: Control of movements by the cerebellum
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11618984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist team at Johns Hopkins is studying how the cerebellum uses error signals to fine-tune movements in primates, with the goal of improving movement disorders in people.
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 start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $23,778 |
| NIH project number | 3R37NS128416-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11618984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly in this grant; foundational neuroscience research in primates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment options may not benefit during this basic science phase.
What this research studies
This project explores how Purkinje cells and related neurons in the cerebellum coordinate movement by using error signals from the inferior olive. Researchers study monkey brains to understand how groups of neurons share a common response to error and how this affects ongoing movement. The findings could inform new approaches to treat cerebellar movement disorders in patients, potentially guiding future therapies or devices that aid motor control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to understand and treat cerebellar movement disorders in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in primates suggests population-level coding for movement parameters may be key to motor control, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shadmehr, Reza — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Shadmehr, Reza
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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.