How aging affects brain control over decision-making
Aging effects on the neural coding of proactive and reactive cognitive control
This study looks at how getting older affects the brain's ability to make decisions and stay focused, especially in older adults, to help understand why some tasks might be harder for them while others are still easy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10705622 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging impacts the brain's ability to manage cognitive control, particularly in older adults. It focuses on understanding the neurobiological changes in the mid-brain dopamine system and their effects on decision-making processes. By using advanced techniques like representational similarity analysis, the study aims to differentiate between proactive and reactive cognitive control mechanisms in older individuals. The findings could help clarify why older adults may struggle with certain cognitive tasks while still performing well in others.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are healthy older adults experiencing cognitive control declines.
Not a fit: Patients who are not older adults or those with significant cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing cognitive function in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive control mechanisms in aging, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braver, Todd S — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Braver, Todd S
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.