How dopamine release patterns affect learning and behavior
Official title: Information encoding by spatiotemporal patterns of dopamine release
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11075920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain cells that release dopamine help us learn and make choices based on smells, and it’s designed for anyone interested in understanding how our brains work, especially in relation to rewards and learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00DA055641-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would include individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions that involve dopamine signaling abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to dopamine signaling or those who do not have neurological or psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dopamine neurons in the brain encode information related to rewards and learning. By examining the release of dopamine in specific patterns during tasks that involve making choices based on odors, the study aims to understand how these signals influence behavior. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers will observe dopamine release in real-time in freely moving rats, allowing them to analyze how these signals relate to both expected and unexpected outcomes. This could provide insights into both normal brain function and conditions where dopamine signaling is disrupted.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of conditions related to dopamine dysfunction, such as addiction or Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown promise in understanding dopamine's role in learning and behavior, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Costa, Kaue Machado — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Costa, Kaue Machado
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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.