Recording brain and body signals in freely moving people

Synchronized neuronal and peripheral biomarker recordings in freely moving humans

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11040990

This study is looking for people to help us understand how brain activity and body signals, like stress hormones and heart rate, work together when we make decisions about moving toward or away from things in our everyday lives.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11040990 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a groundbreaking platform that combines deep brain recordings with wearable sensors to capture both neural and peripheral biochemical signals in real-world settings. Participants will have implanted electrodes in specific brain regions while also wearing devices that monitor biochemical markers like cortisol and epinephrine, as well as biophysical measures such as heart rate and movement. The goal is to understand how these signals relate to behaviors like approach-avoidance during navigation. This innovative approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of human behavior in naturalistic environments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are individuals who require implanted electrodes for medical reasons and are willing to engage in behavioral tasks during the study.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have the necessary medical conditions requiring neural implants or those who are not interested in behavioral assessments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying human behavior, potentially informing treatments for conditions like anxiety and eating disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While the integration of deep brain and peripheral biomarker recordings is a novel approach, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain-behavior relationships, suggesting potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.