NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how brain activity influences behavior

Official title: Editing Population Codes For Action

Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10908818 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring how changes in brain activity affect our actions and feelings, using a new method to see how different patterns of brain signals can influence behavior, which could help improve treatments for people with neurological conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 10, 2024
Project endSeptember 9, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$1,286,464
NIH project number1DP2MH140135-01
Project IDNIH-10908818 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with neurological conditions that affect behavior and cognition.

Less likely to help

Patients with purely psychiatric disorders without neurological components may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between neural activity and behavior in the mammalian brain. By developing a novel technique to manipulate the timing and firing rates of neurons, the researchers aim to determine how specific patterns of neural activity drive actions and perceptions. This approach allows for a more precise understanding of causality in brain function, moving beyond traditional observational methods. Patients may benefit from insights gained about brain function and its impact on behavior, which could inform future treatments for neurological conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating neurological disorders by clarifying how brain activity influences behavior.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other areas of neuroscience, suggesting potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
    Newark, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Oldenburg, Ian Anton — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Oldenburg, Ian Anton

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.