Dopamine pathways shaping flexible learning in the brain
Official title: Contribution of non-canonical dopamine pathways to model-based learning
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11548313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how specific brain dopamine pathways contribute to flexible, model-based learning that could influence decision making in people with substance use issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $131,172 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA057084-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11548313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing study; results may eventually inform treatments for individuals with substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Direct participation by patients is not described in this grant.
What this research studies
The project aims to map how dopamine signals from the ventral tegmental area reach brain regions like the basolateral amygdala and lateral hypothalamus to support adaptable choices. By focusing on neural circuits that enable model-based decision making, it seeks to understand why substance use disorders impair flexible thinking. The research combines neuroscience approaches to link brain activity with learning strategies that adapt to changing outcomes. Insights from this work could inform future therapies to improve decision making in patients with addiction. The work is conducted at UCLA under the guidance of Dr. Kate M. Wassum and colleagues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of brain circuits could lead to new approaches for treating decision-making deficits in substance use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked VTADA signaling to model-based learning, with ongoing exploration of its circuit partners.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wassum, Kate M — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wassum, Kate M
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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.