Improving balance in older adults with targeted magnetic brain stimulation
Official title: Treating Balance Impairment of the Elderly with TMS-induced Brain Connectivity
Funded at Weinberg Medical Physics, LLC · NIH-11196750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses MRI- and EEG-guided magnetic brain stimulation to help older adults, including people with Alzheimer's, improve balance and lower their risk of falling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weinberg Medical Physics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Bethesda, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $304,684 |
| NIH project number | 5R41AG085838-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11196750 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (typically 65+) with balance impairment or a history of falls, including those with Alzheimer disease dementia or other neurologic conditions that increase fall risk, who can travel to the study site and tolerate TMS.
✕Less likely to help
People with implanted metallic devices in the head, uncontrolled seizures, certain medical contraindications to TMS, or those unable to attend clinic visits are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.
What this research studies
You would receive noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) sessions aimed at a brain area involved in balance, with the stimulation guided by MRI scans and EEG recordings to target your individual brain connectivity. The team will measure your balance, walking, and fall risk before and after the treatment and may repeat imaging to look for brain changes. Treatments are delivered in clinic over multiple visits and staff will monitor you for side effects such as headache or scalp discomfort. The approach is intended to strengthen brain circuits that help prevent falls so you can move more safely and confidently.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce falls and improve mobility and independence in older adults with balance problems.
How similar studies have gone: Small prior studies have used TMS to change brain activity and shown early promise for mobility and balance, but MRI/EEG-guided targeting for reducing falls in older adults is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Weinberg Medical Physics, LLC
North Bethesda, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parikh, Pranav J — Weinberg Medical Physics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Parikh, Pranav J
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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.