Understanding how increased brain activity affects ALS symptoms
Official title: Assessing the Contribution of Cortical Hyperactivity to ALS Phenotypes in a Human-Derived Motor System
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11061744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how increased brain activity might lead to symptoms of ALS, aiming to understand how certain brain cells interact and contribute to the disease, which could help in finding better ways to study and treat ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 21, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS135955-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with ALS, regardless of their genetic background.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurodegenerative diseases or those without a diagnosis of ALS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of increased brain activity in the development of symptoms associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). By examining human-derived motor systems, the study aims to identify how cortical hyperexcitability, an early indicator of ALS, influences motor neuron degeneration. The approach involves analyzing human tissue to better understand the interactions between different types of brain cells and how they contribute to ALS. This could lead to more effective models for studying ALS and developing treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potentially new treatment strategies for ALS patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of cortical hyperexcitability as a biomarker is established, this specific approach using human tissue is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pio, Taylor — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Pio, Taylor
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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.