Understanding how the brain learns and retains skilled movements
Official title: Motor Skill and the Cortical Motor Areas
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10991429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us learn and remember skilled movements, like playing an instrument or throwing a ball, by training monkeys to do specific tasks and seeing how their brain changes during the process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $326,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129551-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals recovering from strokes or brain injuries that affect motor skills.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-motor related neurological conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's motor areas, specifically the primary motor cortex and dorsal premotor cortex, adapt during the learning and retention of skilled movements. By training monkeys to perform tasks that require memory-guided movements, the researchers will explore how these skills are acquired and maintained over time. They will use pharmacological methods to manipulate information storage in the brain, allowing them to observe changes in performance and brain activity. The findings could provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying motor skill learning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from motor impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding motor skill learning through similar experimental approaches, indicating potential for significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Obayashi (Ohbayashi), Machiko — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Obayashi (Ohbayashi), Machiko
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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.