How the brain manages attention and learning

Brain Mechanisms of Spontaneous and Learned Attentional Flexibility

NIH-funded research Wake Forest University · NIH-10439175

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 typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project IDNIH-10439175 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, or other related mental health conditions.

Not a fit: Patients without any psychiatric disorders or those who do not experience attentional flexibility issues may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding attentional mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Winston-Salem, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Anxiety DisordersMental disordersMental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.