Improving brain connectivity to help with neurological disorders
Official title: Co-engineering Hebbian and Homeostatic Plasticity Mechanisms to Induce Targeted Functional Neural Connectivity Changes
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10879082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring ways to help the brain heal and improve its connections after injuries or conditions like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and stroke, by using special stimulation techniques to boost brain function and recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F99NS130828-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, or those recovering from a stroke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable neurological conditions that do not involve cognitive deficits or those who are not experiencing significant neural connectivity issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance brain connectivity by combining two mechanisms of neural plasticity: Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity. It aims to understand how these mechanisms can be engineered to improve the brain's ability to recover from injuries and disorders like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and stroke. By using neural stimulation techniques, the project seeks to restore lost cognitive functions and behaviors that are often impaired due to abnormal neural connections. The approach focuses on optimizing stimulation methods to achieve better outcomes in brain connectivity changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for neurological disorders, enhancing cognitive function and quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stimulation techniques to induce neural plasticity, but this specific combination of Hebbian and homeostatic mechanisms is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khateeb, Karam — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Khateeb, Karam
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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.