Clarifying attention, cognitive control, and working memory with detailed tests and brain scans
Data-driven validation of cognitive RDoC dimensions using deep phenotyping
This project uses many thinking tasks and brain imaging to find clearer brain-based definitions of attention, thinking control, and working memory that relate to everyday behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101136 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would do a range of cognitive tasks that target attention, cognitive control, and working memory while researchers collect brain imaging and other behavior data. The team uses data-driven methods to find which specific task contrasts and practice effects best map onto each cognitive dimension. They will gather a large dataset, consult experts to link tasks to constructs, and test models that connect brain networks to real-world behaviors relevant to mental health. The goal is to make these cognitive dimensions more precise and useful for understanding real-life functioning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults (with or without mental health symptoms) who can complete cognitive tasks and undergo brain imaging visits.
Not a fit: People who need immediate clinical treatment or who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide clearer brain-based targets that help researchers develop better diagnostics and more targeted treatments for mental health problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked cognitive tasks to brain networks, but applying large-scale, data-driven methods to validate RDoC cognitive constructs and adding new units like contrasts and practice is a relatively new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poldrack, Russell a — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Poldrack, Russell a
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.