How the brain imagines steps ahead during planning
Identifying the neural correlates of mental simulation in multi-step planning
Researchers will use brain scans, MEG, and eye-tracking while people play a planning game to learn how brains simulate future steps, including in people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290371 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll play a strategic game called Four-in-a-Row while researchers record your brain activity with fMRI and MEG and track your eye movements. A computational model of planning will link your choices and where you look to specific brain signals. fMRI will map which brain regions represent the value of possible moves, while MEG will show the timing of mental simulation. The study compares people with and without autism to help explain differences in everyday planning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with autism spectrum disorder (and comparison participants without autism) who can follow task instructions and tolerate MRI and MEG sessions.
Not a fit: People who cannot stay still for scans, have MRI contraindications (such as certain metal implants), or cannot follow the task instructions are unlikely to participate or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify why planning can differ in autism and point toward targets for therapies or training to improve everyday decision-making.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging studies have shown brain signals for simpler decisions, but combining a complex game, detailed computational modeling, fMRI, and MEG to track multi-step planning is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Wei Ji — New York University
- Study coordinator: Ma, Wei Ji
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.