How brain circuits between the cortex and amygdala help people adapt their choices
Cortico-Amygdalar Substrates of Adaptive Learning
This work looks at how connections between prefrontal cortex and the amygdala help people—especially those with substance use problems—change their choices when outcomes are uncertain or the rules change.
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 ID | NIH-11248042 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the researchers are trying to understand how different brain areas decide which internal model of the world to use and how fast to learn when things are uncertain. They study orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate parts of the prefrontal cortex together with the basolateral amygdala to see how these regions support stimulus- and action-based learning. The team uses laboratory experiments (including animal models), neural recordings, and targeted manipulations to separate different kinds of uncertainty and learning rates. They will connect those basic findings to behaviors seen in people with substance use disorder to better explain inconsistent decision-making.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The most relevant people are those with substance use disorders who struggle with inconsistent choices or trouble adapting when rewards or rules change.
Not a fit: People without problems in decision-making or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic neuroscience project right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to reduce erratic or harmful decision patterns and lower relapse risk for people with substance use disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human imaging studies have linked prefrontal and amygdala regions to learning under uncertainty, but directly testing how the brain arbitrates between internal models is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izquierdo, Alicia — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Izquierdo, Alicia
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.