# The Neural Basis of the Brain-Body Connection

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $1,168,788

## Abstract

We know almost nothing about the neural basis of the Brain-Body connection. This connection is the
circuitry that enables motor, cognitive and affective processing to have a major impact on the function of
internal organs such as the stomach, heart and spleen. Inappropriate signals in these networks are thought
to contribute to the generation of some prevalent medical illnesses, and to cause the so-called "functional"
and psychosomatic disorders. The experiments proposed in this application will fill a major gap in our
knowledge. We will identify the cortical areas that influence, and in some instances control the function of
the gastrointestinal (GI), cardiovascular and immune systems.
 The brain-body connection is based on chains of synaptically-connected neurons. No conventional
neuroanatomical tracer is capable of revealing multi-synaptic circuits. To overcome this shortcoming, we
developed the use of rabies virus as a transneuronal tracer in non-human primates. We propose to use this
unique approach to reveal the complex networks that are responsible for the top-down influence of the
central nervous system on the stomach, heart and spleen.
 There is a growing awareness that many medical symptoms, especially those without identifiable
pathology, may be caused by a disturbance in the brain-body connection. This is especially the case for
often intractable disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress- and depression-related heart disease,
and fibromyalgia. Thus, the information that will come from our studies has the potential to transform the way
we view and treat these disorders.
 In essence, the brain-body connection is a construct that lacks a concrete basic science foundation.
The results from the proposed research will establish a structural framework for the brain-body connection
and thus, create new opportunities for rigorous research and novel approaches for treatment. This
information, because of its all-encompassing nature, will be of interest to many, if not all of the NIH Institutes
and Centers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987533
- **Project number:** 5R01AT010414-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Strick
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,168,788
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-10 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987533, The Neural Basis of the Brain-Body Connection (5R01AT010414-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987533. Licensed CC0.

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