How Memory Guides Decisions in Teenagers
Computational and neurodevelopmental mechanisms of memory-guided decision-making
This project explores how memory helps teenagers make decisions, especially focusing on why some choices might be unhelpful.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262969 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Teenagers sometimes make decisions that aren't good for them, and this might be linked to how their memory and decision-making parts of the brain are still growing. We want to understand how memory specifically guides choices during these formative years. By using advanced brain imaging and computer models, we aim to uncover the brain pathways that help teenagers learn from past experiences to make better choices. This work could help us understand why some teenagers struggle with decision-making and how to support them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding brain development and decision-making in adolescents, particularly those between 12-20 years old.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for a specific condition would not directly benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the brain processes behind decision-making in adolescents, potentially leading to new ways to support healthy development and prevent mental health issues.
How similar studies have performed: While memory and decision-making have been studied separately, this project offers a novel approach by combining them with advanced computational and neuroimaging techniques in a developmental context.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Insel, Catherine — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Insel, Catherine
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.