How brain areas work together for reward and addiction
Hippocampal interactions with striatal subnetworks for reward prediction and evaluation
This project aims to understand how different parts of the brain process rewards, which could help us find new ways to treat drug addiction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129786 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Drug addiction is a serious problem that affects many people, and we still don't fully understand how it changes the brain. This project focuses on two key brain areas, the hippocampus and the striatum, which are involved in how we value rewards and make choices. Researchers want to discover how these brain parts communicate to link actions with rewards and predict future rewards. By understanding these brain circuits, we hope to uncover new targets for developing more effective treatments for addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for individuals living with drug addiction, as it seeks to uncover the basic brain mechanisms underlying their condition.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments will not directly benefit from this basic science project, as its findings are foundational for future drug development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of addiction, paving the way for new and more effective treatments.
How similar studies have performed: The project aims to address fundamental gaps in our understanding of how reward values are linked to actions and how different brain regions contribute, suggesting a novel approach to these specific questions.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sjulson, Lucas L — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Sjulson, Lucas L
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.