How the brain links taste and location for food choices
Official title: Hippocampal - gustatory cortical interactions underlying formation of taste-space cognitive maps
Funded at Brandeis University · NIH-10911928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how two parts of the brain help animals remember where to find good and bad food, so we can better understand how taste and location work together in making food choices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brandeis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waltham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $405,173 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020640-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with cognitive deficits or eating disorders who are interested in understanding the neurological basis of their conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cognitive impairments or eating disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's hippocampus and gustatory cortex work together to help animals remember where to find nourishing and toxic food sources. By studying the interactions between these brain regions, the research aims to understand how taste experiences are associated with specific locations in the environment. Using advanced techniques like electrophysiology, the researchers will analyze how neurons respond to taste and spatial information, which could shed light on decision-making related to food. The findings may provide insights into cognitive processes that influence eating behaviors and memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of how taste and memory influence eating behaviors, potentially leading to better treatments for eating disorders and cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interactions being studied are novel, previous research has shown success in understanding the roles of the hippocampus and gustatory cortex in memory and decision-making.
Where this research is happening
-
Brandeis University
Waltham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jadhav, Shantanu P — Brandeis University
- Study coordinator: Jadhav, Shantanu P
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.