Understanding how brain signals control movement and learning
Official title: Beyond dopamine: dual neuromodulator regulation of motor variability and learning
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10800679 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us move in different ways when we're learning skills like talking or playing music, focusing on a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how our brain's signals can affect our ability to learn new skills.
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 | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $79,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MH132152-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10800679 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 21 and older who experience challenges with motor control or learning complex skills.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to motor variability or learning complex skills may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain regulates motor variability, which is crucial for learning complex skills like speech and music. It focuses on the basal ganglia, a brain region that influences motor control and is affected by signaling molecules such as dopamine and adenosine. By using advanced computational and optical techniques, the study aims to uncover the relationship between these signals and motor variability during skill learning. This could provide insights into how excessive variability can hinder performance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for individuals with motor control disorders, enhancing their ability to learn and perform complex skills.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of dopamine in motor control, but the dual modulation by adenosine is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schreiner, Drew Clinton — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Schreiner, Drew Clinton
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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.