Understanding how the brain controls movement after a stroke
Official title: Mapping Corticoreticulospinal Motor Control Using Brainstem and Spinal Cord fMRI in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10785910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain and spinal cord help people who have had a stroke move their arms and legs, and it aims to find ways to improve recovery by understanding which pathways are working when they try to move.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $160,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD113915-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10785910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a chronic hemiparetic stroke and have ongoing motor deficits in one arm.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with acute stroke symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different pathways in the brain and spinal cord contribute to movement in individuals who have experienced a stroke. By using advanced imaging techniques like fMRI, the study aims to identify which neural pathways are active when patients attempt to move their affected limbs. This information could help develop better rehabilitation strategies that focus on enhancing the use of specific motor pathways, potentially leading to improved recovery of movement. Participants will undergo imaging while performing movements to provide insights into their motor control mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective rehabilitation techniques that improve movement and daily functioning for stroke survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to understand motor control in stroke patients, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bright, Molly G — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Bright, Molly G
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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.