Understanding Movement Control in Neurological Conditions
Multiscale models of proprioceptive encoding to reveal mechanisms of impaired sensorimotor control
This work aims to understand how the brain and body sense movement, helping us find better ways to diagnose and treat movement difficulties like spasticity or rigidity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11074056 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many neurological conditions can cause muscles to become stiff or resistant to movement, a problem called joint hyper-resistance. This project explores the tiny signals between nerves and muscles that contribute to these movement issues. We want to uncover the specific ways that nerve activity leads to muscle stiffness, whether it's from constant muscle tension or an exaggerated response to stretching. By understanding these different mechanisms, we hope to develop more precise treatments for conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson's disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with neurological movement disorders such as spasticity from stroke, spinal cord injury, or cerebral palsy, and rigidity from Parkinson's disease.
Not a fit: Patients without neurological movement disorders or those whose conditions do not involve joint hyper-resistance may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, targeted diagnoses and treatments for patients experiencing abnormal muscle stiffness and movement disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall field of sensorimotor control has seen advancements, this project proposes novel, detailed investigations into the specific neural mechanisms underlying joint hyper-resistance.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ting, Lena H — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Ting, Lena H
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 below.