Understanding how the brain represents the body's position in space
Official title: Unraveling the Neural Bases of Body Schema
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10924040 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us understand where our body is in space, using mice to learn more about the brain's wiring for movement and awareness, which could eventually help people with movement-related challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,113,000 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1NS137188-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10924040 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological disorders that impact their body schema and motor functions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurological disorders or those who do not experience issues with body awareness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain creates a mental map of the body's position in three-dimensional space, known as body schema. By studying the brains of mice, the researchers will develop a new algorithm to track body movements and analyze neural activity in real-time. This approach aims to uncover the neural circuits involved in body awareness and motor control, which are essential for everyday actions like reaching for objects or swatting away insects. The findings could provide insights into how these processes work in humans and may help address issues related to neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of neurological disorders that affect body awareness and motor control.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding neural mechanisms related to body awareness, but this specific approach using advanced algorithms and real-time tracking is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Fan — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Wang, Fan
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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.