Understanding how brain chemicals move through the brain's outer spaces

NRSA application: Characterizing acetylcholine, noradrenaline, and dopamine diffusion through the extracellular space in three subregions of macaque neocortex

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-10984450

This study is looking at how certain brain chemicals move around in the brain of macaque monkeys to help us understand how brain signaling works, which could lead to better treatments for people with neurological conditions.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10984450 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how neuromodulators, which are chemicals that influence brain activity, diffuse through the extracellular space in the macaque neocortex. By developing advanced computational models, the study aims to better understand the factors that affect the movement of these chemicals over larger distances than previously studied. This could provide insights into how brain signaling works at a macro level, which is crucial for understanding various brain functions and disorders. Patients may benefit from improved knowledge of brain signaling mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for neurological conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological conditions that may be influenced by neuromodulatory signaling.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to neuromodulatory systems or those not experiencing neurological issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain signaling, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.

How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant research on neuromodulators, this approach of modeling diffusion at a macro scale is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, 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.