Understanding how brain stimulation affects gene activity in humans
Official title: Deciphering the genomic mechanisms underlying the physiology of human brain stimulation
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10834634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain stimulation affects the way certain genes work in people who have had brain surgery, and it aims to help us understand how these therapies might improve memory and brain function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $211,227 |
| NIH project number | 3RF1NS126143-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10834634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are neurosurgical patients undergoing procedures that involve brain stimulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain disorders who are not candidates for neurosurgery or brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of brain stimulation on gene expression by analyzing high-quality neural tissue obtained from neurosurgical patients. The team will conduct a series of experiments comparing brain tissue from patients who have undergone neurostimulation with that from control subjects who have not. Using advanced techniques like single nuclei RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing, the study aims to uncover how stimulation influences brain circuits and memory-related gene activity. The findings could provide insights into the biological mechanisms behind brain stimulation therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved brain stimulation therapies that enhance memory and cognitive function in patients with brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gene expression changes related to brain stimulation, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lega, Bradley C — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lega, Bradley C
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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.