Recording brain and body signals in freely moving people
Official title: Synchronized neuronal and peripheral biomarker recordings in freely moving humans
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11040990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | February 21, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $979,547 |
| NIH project number | 5R61MH135106-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are individuals who require implanted electrodes for medical reasons and are willing to engage in behavioral tasks during the study.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Suthana, Nanthia a — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Suthana, Nanthia a
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.