Investigating how Parkinson's disease affects brain neuron activity in monkeys

Parkinsonism-Related Changes in Activity of Cortical Projection Neurons in Monkeys

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-10930878

This study is looking at how the loss of dopamine in Parkinson's disease affects brain cells that help control movement, using monkeys to learn more about these changes, which could lead to better treatments for movement problems in people with Parkinson's.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-10930878 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the loss of dopamine in Parkinson's disease alters the activity of specific neurons in the brain, particularly in areas that control movement. By studying monkeys with induced parkinsonism, researchers will examine changes in both spontaneous and task-related neuron activities in critical motor regions of the brain. The methodology involves using advanced techniques to trace and analyze neuron activity, which could provide insights into how these changes contribute to symptoms like bradykinesia. The findings may help in developing better treatments for movement disorders associated with Parkinson's disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience motor symptoms such as bradykinesia.

Not a fit: Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not exhibit motor symptoms or those with other neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for managing motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding neuronal changes in parkinsonian models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.