How memory affects decision-making in foraging birds
Influence of Hippocampus-Like Memory Representations on Decision Making in Foraging Birds
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BASIS RESEARCH INSTITUTE · NIH-11064920
This study looks at how a part of the brain called the hippocampus helps birds, like chickadees and sparrows, make smart choices while searching for food, and it aims to understand how their memory affects these decisions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BASIS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11064920 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory, influences decision-making in birds while they forage for food. By studying species like chickadees and sparrows, the research aims to link the biological properties of hippocampal neurons to specific memory-guided behaviors. The approach includes advanced behavioral tracking techniques in natural settings and theoretical analyses to model cognitive behaviors. This work could provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying memory and decision-making processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals with memory-related cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients with non-memory-related cognitive disorders or those without cognitive impairments may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of memory-related cognitive behaviors, potentially informing treatments for memory disorders in humans.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in linking hippocampal function to memory behaviors in animal models, suggesting that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- BASIS RESEARCH INSTITUTE — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MACKEVICIUS, EMILY LAMBERT — BASIS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- Study coordinator: MACKEVICIUS, EMILY LAMBERT
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease