Tracking brain and body signals during everyday movement
Synchronized neuronal and peripheral biomarker recordings in freely moving humans
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11361902
This project combines implanted brain recordings with wearable sensors to record brain activity, stress hormones, and body signals in people with implanted electrodes, including those with binge eating disorder, while they move and behave naturally.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11361902 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would wear a system that records deep brain activity from implanted electrodes at the same time as noninvasive sensors that measure cortisol, epinephrine, heart rate, skin conductance, eye movements, and body motion. The team will build and test a mobile platform that synchronizes single-neuron or intracranial EEG signals with wearable biochemical and biophysical sensors during real-world movement and spatial navigation tasks. As a proof-of-concept, they will study approach-avoidance behavior to link specific brain events with peripheral biomarker changes. The work is carried out by teams at Duke, UCLA, Stanford, and the VA using participants who already have implanted electrodes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who already have implanted intracranial electrodes for clinical reasons and can wear additional noninvasive sensors and take part in mobile behavioral testing.
Not a fit: People without implanted brain electrodes, those unable to travel to a participating center, or those who cannot tolerate wearable sensors are unlikely to be direct participants or gain immediate benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this platform could reveal brain and body signals that predict or trigger binge-eating–related behaviors and inform new monitoring or treatment approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Recording single-neuron and iEEG activity in freely moving humans has been done, but integrating continuous wearable biochemical sensors with deep brain recordings is novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SUTHANA, NANTHIA W — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SUTHANA, NANTHIA W
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 below.
Conditions: Binge eating disorder