Understanding how gravity affects balance and movement in older adults
Using gravity to perceive, move and orient
This study is looking at how our brains understand gravity and help us keep our balance, especially for older adults who might struggle with this, by training monkeys to recognize when they're tilted and seeing how their balance changes without certain parts of their inner ear.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10523529 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain perceives gravity and its role in maintaining balance, particularly in older adults who often face balance issues. By studying macaques, the researchers aim to understand how the vestibular system contributes to our internal sense of gravity and how this affects our ability to move and orient ourselves. The study will involve training these animals to recognize vertical orientation while their head and body are tilted, and assessing how their balance is impacted when vestibular organs are removed. This research could lead to insights on how to improve balance and prevent falls in the elderly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing balance issues or those at risk of falls.
Not a fit: Patients who are not elderly or do not have balance problems may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing falls and improving mobility in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the vestibular system's role in balance can lead to significant advancements in treatment for balance disorders.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Angelaki, Dora — New York University
- Study coordinator: Angelaki, Dora
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 below.