Understanding how to improve arm movement after a stroke
Official title: Defining the Neurological Substrates of Proximal Upper Extremity Motor Control and Recovery After Stroke
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11103750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how strokes impact your brain's control over arm movements, especially at the shoulder and elbow, and it wants to see if special therapy can help improve your arm function and even change how your brain works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $652,497 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS142153-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103750 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals who have experienced a stroke and are facing challenges with arm movement and coordination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a stroke or those with severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how strokes affect the brain's ability to control arm movements, specifically focusing on the shoulder and elbow. It aims to identify the brain areas responsible for these movements and whether targeted therapy can enhance motor control. By using intensive training methods, the study will explore if improvements in arm function can lead to changes in the brain's structure and function. Patients may participate in therapy sessions designed to strengthen their arm movements and monitor their progress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for improving arm function in stroke survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in improving motor control through targeted therapies, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, David J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lin, David J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
-
LRP1 controls NSC movement and stroke recovery
This NIH grant studies how a brain receptor called LRP1 helps neural stem cells move to stroke injuries and support recovery in adults.
-
BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
A study at Stanford will look at whether inflammation after a stroke leads to leaky blood vessels and later dementia, by following stroke survivors and comparing them with people without stroke.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
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.