How aging affects decision-making and memory precision
Official title: Decision-making consequences of decreased memory precision with age
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10997096 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in memory for older adults affect their choices, like picking between different snacks, to help us understand how aging influences decision-making.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AG090000-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997096 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are experiencing normal age-related memory changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairments or dementia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how decreased memory precision in older adults impacts their decision-making abilities. By using functional MRI (fMRI), the study will observe participants as they make choices between similar and novel snack options, such as apples and oranges or new brands of chocolate. The goal is to understand how aging influences the ability to recall specific details versus generalizing from past experiences, which is crucial for making informed choices. Participants will engage in tasks designed to measure their decision-making processes and memory recall.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for helping older adults make better decisions in their daily lives.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that memory precision affects decision-making, but this specific approach focusing on aging is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Geen, Camilla — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Van Geen, Camilla
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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.