Understanding how internal states affect behavior in tiny worms
Official title: Brain-Wide Representations of Behavior During Aversive Internal States in C. Elegans
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11031972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny worms called C. elegans change their nervous system activity when they feel different levels of excitement or motivation, helping us learn more about how these feelings affect their behavior and possibly giving us clues about similar processes in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $341,704 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131457-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the biological mechanisms of behavior and those with conditions related to mood and motivation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve behavioral or mood disturbances may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the nervous systems of C. elegans, a type of tiny worm, change during different internal states like arousal and motivation. By observing these changes, researchers aim to understand how these states influence sensory processing and behavior. The study uses advanced techniques to record neural activity and analyze how these internal states are generated and maintained over time. This could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of behavior that may be applicable to other animals, including humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of how internal states influence behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for mood and behavioral disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding neural mechanisms of behavior in simpler organisms, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flavell, Steven Willem — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Flavell, Steven Willem
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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.