How the brain manages attention and learning
Official title: Brain Mechanisms of Spontaneous and Learned Attentional Flexibility
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-10439175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people learn to change their focus based on their experiences and surroundings, and it aims to understand how this ability to shift attention might be connected to different mental health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $410,490 |
| NIH project number | 1R15MH127491-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10439175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, or other related mental health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any psychiatric disorders or those who do not experience attentional flexibility issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals adjust their attention based on learned experiences and environmental cues. It focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms behind attentional flexibility, which is the ability to shift focus when needed. By examining fluctuations in attention, the study aims to uncover how learning influences these changes and how this may relate to various psychiatric disorders. The research employs neuropsychological models and techniques like electroencephalography (EEG) to explore these dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for psychiatric disorders by enhancing our understanding of attentional flexibility.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding attentional mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sali, Anthony — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Sali, Anthony
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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.