Understanding how the brain controls complex movements in real life
Official title: Neural dynamics of freely-moving, naturalistic behavior
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10998263 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains help us move in everyday life, aiming to understand the patterns behind our movements so that people with movement challenges can get better support and rehabilitation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS139679-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998263 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals recovering from acquired brain injuries or strokes who experience difficulties with movement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable motor function and no history of brain injury may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's neural dynamics support complex, natural movements by examining motor computations involved in planning and executing actions. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional lab-based studies, which often involve constrained environments, and real-world movement scenarios. By analyzing how these neural dynamics generalize across different tasks and environments, the research seeks to provide insights into the fundamental patterns of motor cortical activity. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of motor function, which could inform rehabilitation strategies for those with movement impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation techniques for patients with motor impairments due to brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding motor dynamics in controlled settings, but this approach of studying freely-moving behavior is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jun, Elizabeth — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Jun, Elizabeth
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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.