NIH-funded research Career grant

How memory influences decision-making during adolescence

Official title: Computational and neurodevelopmental mechanisms of memory-guided decision-making

Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10880592 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how memory affects the choices teenagers make, using cool brain imaging technology to understand how their brains work during this important time in their lives.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startJuly 3, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$130,842
NIH project number5K99MH133994-02
Project IDNIH-10880592 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be experiencing challenges with decision-making or behavioral issues.

Less likely to help

Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing decision-making difficulties may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between memory development and decision-making in adolescents, focusing on how these cognitive processes interact and evolve. By utilizing advanced techniques from computational neuroscience, including artificial neural networks and neuroimaging, the study aims to uncover the neural pathways that guide decision-making. The research will explore how specific and generalized memory influences both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in youth, providing insights into the cognitive challenges faced during this critical developmental period.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for maladaptive decision-making in adolescents, potentially reducing the risk of psychopathology.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cognitive processes involved in decision-making, but this specific approach integrating computational models is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia Univ New York Morningside
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Insel, Catherine — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
  • Study coordinator: Insel, Catherine

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.