NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how brain signals influence behavior and mental health

Official title: Bridging Scales to Understand Endogenous Neuromodulation and its Regulation

Funded at Duke University · NIH-11051258 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain parts of the brain can help us understand and improve our behavior and mental health, and if you join, you might learn ways to better manage your mental health through brain training.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startMarch 8, 2023
Project endFebruary 28, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$488,365
NIH project number5R01MH131667-03
Project IDNIH-11051258 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing mental health challenges or those interested in cognitive enhancement.

Less likely to help

Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to neuromodulation or those not experiencing mental health issues may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how specific brain regions, known as neuromodulatory nuclei, detect and influence brain activity patterns that affect behavior. By using advanced neuroimaging and behavioral techniques, the team aims to understand how these nuclei can be regulated to improve mental health outcomes. Participants may engage in training to help self-regulate brain activity, which could lead to insights on how to better manage mental disorders. The study employs innovative methods to analyze brain function in real-time, potentially linking brain activity to cognitive processes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new interventions for mental health disorders by enhancing our understanding of brain function and behavior.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neurofeedback and neuromodulation techniques to improve mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

  • Duke University
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Adcock, Rachel Alison — Duke University
  • Study coordinator: Adcock, Rachel Alison

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.
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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.