Understanding how brain connections affect emotional control
Official title: Insular Connectomic Mechanisms of Emotion Dysregulation and Neuromodulation
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11109390 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain connections in the brain affect our emotions and whether a special treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can help people who have trouble managing their feelings, so if you’ve ever struggled with emotional control, this research might be for you!
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,497 |
| NIH project number | 5F30MH134460-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109390 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults over 21 who experience difficulties with emotional regulation and may have psychiatric conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience emotion dysregulation or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain's insular connections and their role in emotion dysregulation, which affects many psychiatric conditions. It explores how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can enhance emotion regulation by examining brain activity patterns in individuals with and without emotional dysregulation. By analyzing the connectivity between different brain regions, the study aims to identify mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for those struggling with emotional control. Participants may undergo brain imaging and stimulation sessions to assess changes in emotional responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve emotional regulation for individuals with various psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation can effectively enhance emotion regulation, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerlus, Nimesha — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gerlus, Nimesha
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating genetic factors in Lewy body diseases
This study is looking at how changes in a specific gene might play a role in conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia, so that people can better understand how their genetics affect their health and possibly find more tailored treatments.
-
Targeting the PAX3-FOXO1 protein in a deadly childhood cancer
This study is looking at a specific protein that helps a tough childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, with the goal of finding new ways to treat kids who have this illness.
-
Improving population health by studying reproduction and development
This study is looking at how different things in our environment can impact pregnancy and the health of babies, and it’s for people who are planning to have children or are already parents, as it aims to help improve understanding and outcomes for everyone involved.
-
Modeling axon degeneration in C. elegans to help ALS patients
Researchers are using a tiny worm model to uncover how axons break down, which could point to new ways to help people with ALS and related nerve diseases.
-
Induced Suppression of Platelet Activity in Aneurysmal SAH Management
A new approach tests whether carefully reducing platelet activity can improve outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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.