Understanding how the brain regulates touch sensations
Official title: Defining circuit mechanisms for the regulation of somatosensory feedback
Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11050949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us feel touch by figuring out which signals are the most important, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how our brain helps us do delicate tasks by managing the way we sense touch.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 1, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $738,566 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS136228-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with sensory processing disorders or conditions that impair motor skills.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely cognitive disorders unrelated to sensory processing or motor function may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes and regulates sensory feedback, particularly touch, to ensure that only the most important signals are transmitted. It focuses on the dorsal column nuclei complex in the brainstem, which plays a key role in conveying tactile information from the body to the brain. By manipulating specific inhibitory circuits within this area, the research aims to understand how these circuits can enhance or suppress touch signals, which is crucial for performing delicate tasks. The study also explores how higher brain regions influence these sensory processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for conditions affecting sensory processing and motor control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sensory processing mechanisms, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azim, Eiman — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Azim, Eiman
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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.