How brain circuits help people switch thoughts and actions
CRCNS: Dissection and control of cognitive thalamocortical dynamics
Researchers will look at how connections between the thalamus and cortex help people switch between thoughts and actions, aiming to help those with cognitive inflexibility like in schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184510 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at the brain circuits between the thalamus and cortex that support cognitive flexibility using detailed recordings and manipulations in laboratory models and computational analysis. The team will map the signals that occur when animals switch tasks and test ways to change those signals to improve switching. Findings will be used to point toward possible targets for new treatments that could later be tested in people. The work focuses on mechanisms linked to conditions such as schizophrenia and 22q11 deletion syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for any future patient-facing work would be people with significant difficulty switching thoughts or actions, such as individuals with schizophrenia or 22q11 deletion syndrome.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are unrelated to cognitive switching or who have only mild, age-related memory changes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain-circuit targets that lead to better treatments for problems switching thoughts and actions in conditions like schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human neurophysiology studies support a role for thalamocortical circuits in attention and flexibility, but translating these findings into therapies remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Zhe Sage — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Chen, Zhe Sage
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.