Investigating how brain connections in the cerebellum affect tremors
Official title: Targeting Cerebellar Excitatory Synapses for Tremor Progression
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10843910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain connections might affect the worsening of essential tremor in people over 40, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $413,266 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS118179-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with essential tremor, particularly those experiencing worsening symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tremors caused by other conditions or those who do not have essential tremor may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on essential tremor (ET), a common movement disorder that affects many individuals over 40 years old. The study aims to understand the role of cerebellar excitatory synapses and astrocytes in the progression of tremors, which become more severe over time. By using animal models and analyzing postmortem human brains, researchers will explore how these brain connections contribute to tremor severity and whether manipulating them can slow down disease progression. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing ET.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow the progression of essential tremor and improve the quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the mechanisms of essential tremor, but this specific approach targeting cerebellar synapses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuo, Sheng-Han — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kuo, Sheng-Han
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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.