Understanding how the brain controls balance in older adults and stroke survivors
Official title: Individual-specific engagement of cortical resources for standing balance control in aging and post stroke
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11058462 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brain helps us keep our balance, especially in older adults and those who have had a stroke, to find ways to improve balance and support rehabilitation for people who struggle with it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $558,641 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG072756-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058462 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults and stroke survivors who experience balance impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have balance issues or neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms involved in maintaining balance, particularly in older adults and those who have experienced a stroke. By examining how the brain engages its resources during balance tasks, the study aims to identify predictors and interventions for balance impairments. The researchers will analyze brain activity and its relationship to motor function, focusing on different age groups and conditions. This approach seeks to enhance rehabilitation strategies for individuals facing balance challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation techniques that enhance balance and reduce fall risk for older adults and stroke survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the relationship between brain activity and balance control, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Lena H — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Ting, Lena H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How the brain helps people keep standing balance as we age or after a stroke
This project measures brain activity while young adults, older adults, and people who have had a stroke do balance tasks to learn how the brain helps keep you steady.
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Understanding how the brain controls balance in older adults and stroke survivors
This study is looking at how the brain helps us keep our balance, especially in older adults and those who have had a stroke, to find better ways to help people who struggle with balance.
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Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
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How biological aging and blood proteins relate to thinking after a stroke
This project looks at whether measures of biological aging and patterns of blood proteins help explain which stroke survivors keep their thinking sharp and which go on to develop vascular dementia.
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Teleassessment of gait and balance after stroke to expand remote rehabilitation
A multi-site study tests simple remote gait and balance tests for stroke survivors to enable safer, easier rehabilitation from home.
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Lens Aquaporins and GPX1: How oxygen balance during aging affects cataract risk
Researchers are studying how eye lens water channels and an antioxidant enzyme influence hydrogen peroxide balance to help prevent aging-related cataracts.
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.