# Neural Control of Muscle Activity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $593,462

## Abstract

The proposed projects will investigate synaptic plasticity in the primate motor system, using a novel
bidirectional brain-computer interface (BBCI). The BBCI records neural activity and uses a
programmable computer chip to deliver activity-contingent stimuli in real time to nervous system sites
during hours of free behavior. We will use the BBCI to produce spike timing-dependent plasticity
through neurally-triggered and paired stimulation, which can strengthen physiological connections. The
effects of the conditioning will be documented by changes in cortical connectivity, as measured by
spike- and stimulus-triggered averages of cortical field potentials and correlational measures of
spontaneous activity. We will attempt to generate plasticity with surface stimulation, which is less
invasive than intracortical stimulation and would be easier to translate to clinical applications. To
further investigate the neural elements mediating plasticity we will compare the conditioning effects
produced by optogenetic stimulation of excitatory neurons with those produced by electrical stimulation
at the same sites. Also, we will investigate for the first time whether the stimulation-induced plasticity
can be prolonged through additional interventions and whether more than one pair of cortical sites can
be simultaneously conditioned. Finally, we will investigate the influence of behavioral state, such as
sleep and waking, on cortical connectivity and the efficacy of inducing plasticity. These studies will
provide crucial evidence to inform clinical applications of closed-loop stimulation targeting neural
plasticity. The results will advance development of novel therapies to improve recovery after stroke,
traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10189708
- **Project number:** 5R01NS012542-47
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** EBERHARD E FETZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $593,462
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1978-09-30 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10189708

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10189708, Neural Control of Muscle Activity (5R01NS012542-47). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10189708. Licensed CC0.

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