How brain states like alertness, hunger, and stress change what you notice and how you act
The influence of neuronal states on perception and behavior
Researchers are exploring how shifts in brain state—for example being alert, hungry, or stressed—change perception and behavior with relevance to conditions like ADHD, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249928 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how internal brain states such as arousal and satiety change what you notice and how you behave by studying neural activity and behavior in simple animal models, including C. elegans and other animals. The team records neural signals, manipulates neuromodulators, and links patterns of brain activity to the probabilities of different behaviors rather than treating states as just on or off. They aim to trace how neuromodulators alter specific synaptic relations and sensory processing that could go wrong in disorders like ADHD, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Results are meant to point to biological mechanisms that could be targeted in future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with attention, arousal, or sensory-processing disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, or schizophrenia may be most interested in following this research or joining related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to brain state regulation (for example isolated peripheral organ diseases) are unlikely to see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain mechanisms behind attention and arousal problems and suggest new targets for therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have linked neuromodulators to behavior, but translating those findings into effective human treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gordus, Andrew George — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Gordus, Andrew George
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.