Understanding how certain muscle sensors work in the body
Official title: Developing genetic access to group II proprioceptive muscle afferents
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10951984 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special nerve fibers that help our bodies know where our limbs are and how they move, using animal models to learn more about how these fibers work, which could help improve treatments for movement disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $164,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03NS139043-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951984 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that impair proprioception or motor control, particularly those over 21 years old.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to proprioceptive dysfunction or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of group II proprioceptive muscle afferents, which are specialized nerve fibers that help the body sense limb position and movement. By using advanced genetic techniques, the study aims to differentiate these afferents from other similar nerve fibers, allowing for a better understanding of their function in motor control and body awareness. The research will involve animal models to explore the signaling pathways and neural circuits associated with these afferents, providing insights into how they contribute to proprioception. This could lead to improved strategies for addressing motor function disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of proprioception, potentially leading to better treatments for conditions affecting movement and coordination.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of proprioceptive afferents is a well-established field, the specific genetic approach being utilized in this research is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Nooij, Joriene — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: De Nooij, Joriene
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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.