Understanding Brain Circuits for Movement and Arousal
Cerebellar Fastigial Motor and Non-motor Circuits
This project explores how specific brain circuits help us manage our posture, movements, and alertness, especially when faced with unexpected or stressful situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11113843 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many brain conditions can make it hard for people to control their movements and how alert they feel, leading to things like being overly sensitive to sounds or easily startled. This work focuses on a part of the brain called the cerebellum, which is known for coordinating movement but also plays a role in our wakefulness. By mapping the connections of specific brain cells and observing their activity, researchers aim to understand how these cells regulate body movements and arousal levels. The goal is to gather detailed information about these brain circuits to help develop new treatments for patients struggling with these issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone interested in how the brain controls movement and alertness, particularly those affected by conditions involving sensory hypersensitivity, excessive startle, or increased anxiety.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate direct treatment or clinical trial participation will not find a direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, targeted treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders that affect motor control and arousal regulation.
How similar studies have performed: While the cerebellum's role in movement is well-established, its specific contributions to arousal regulation and the detailed circuits involved are areas of ongoing discovery.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du Lac, Sascha — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Du Lac, Sascha
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.