# RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYS · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Patten's research focuses on understanding the neural basis of human movement. The overarching goal
of her translational research is to improve the quality of clinical neurorehabilitation through development of
effective, efficient, targeted interventions that promote recovery of neuromotor function. Informed by extensive
clinical experience as a physical therapist, her research bridges the fields of neurorehabilitation,
neuromechanics, and neuroengineering to conduct quantitative, mechanistic investigation with three related
objectives: 1) elucidating mechanisms of movement dysfunction with aging and in adult neuropathologies; 2)
determining capacity for motor recovery following central nervous system injury; and 3) identifying critical
factors that contribute to rehabilitation efficacy. To achieve these goals, the programmatic lines of her
research investigate: a) neural mechanisms and biomechanical consequences of CNS pathologies causing
motor dysfunction, b) development of biomarkers of motor recovery, and c) novel means to induce
neuroplasticity and motor recovery. Dr. Patten's research influences clinical care in neurorehabilitation, thus
helps individuals with motor dysfunction resulting from neuropathologies, such as stroke, maximize recovery,
restore activity participation, and optimize quality of life.
Dr. Patten has studied adults with stroke-related motor dysfunction for over 20 years. She has been the
Principal Investigator for four VA-RRD supported clinical trials investigating effects and response to
rehabilitation interventions for persons post-stroke [VA RRD B2450R, VA RRD B29792R, VA RRD B3964R,
VA RRD B540231]. Results of these studies have been influential for the field and have been incorporated into
clinical practice guidelines and recommendations such as the Evidence-based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation.
Observation of responders and non-responders to therapeutic intervention —without baseline differences in
clinical characteristics— motivated investigation of intrinsic physiological differences among these sub-groups,
for which she conducted in cross-sectional studies of chronic stroke survivors (VA RR&D 1I21RX-1435-0]).
This work motivated a subsequent VA RR&D Merit Review (I01RX001677), which she currently conducts as
PI, to examine plantarflexor corticospinal efficacy as a potential biomarker for walking recovery. Additionally,
she is the Site PI for a multi-site study (R01NR015591) tracking biomarkers of stress and genetic variation
collected in the acute period following stroke to determine how these may inform heterogeneity in response to
rehabilitation. She also collaborates, as a Co-I (1R01AG054621-01) on studies using high-density EEG to
understand brain dynamics in elders in response to perturbations during locomotion. Finally, a new study
supported by the NSF (M3X, #1935501) will enable deeper understanding of the process of human motor
learning, plasticity, and transfer to behavioral, neuromechanical effec...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10070446
- **Project number:** 1IK6RX003543-01
- **Recipient organization:** VA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE SYS
- **Principal Investigator:** Carolynn Patten
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10070446

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10070446, RR&D Research Career Scientist Award Application (1IK6RX003543-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10070446. Licensed CC0.

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