How the brain processes loss and reward in mood, anxiety, and low pleasure
Evaluating overlap and distinctiveness in neurocomputational loss and reward elements of the RDoC matrix
This project looks at how people with mood problems, anxiety, or trouble feeling pleasure differ in how their brains respond to loss and reward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122339 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would share clinical information and take part in computer tasks and experiments that measure responses to wins and losses while researchers use computational models to break those responses into specific components. The team combines clinical and experimental data from a large group of people with mood disorders, anxiety, or anhedonia to find which loss and reward features are shared or distinct. They will run a mechanistic trial to test whether changing particular computational components alters symptoms. The researchers also aim to determine which features are stable traits versus which change with mood or treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with clinically significant mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or persistent anhedonia.
Not a fit: People without mood or anxiety symptoms, or those looking for immediate clinical care rather than research participation, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help tailor treatments to target the specific loss-or-reward processing problems that contribute to a person’s symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown altered reward and loss processing across psychiatric diagnoses, but using computational measures to guide treatment is still a new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiu, Pearl H — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Chiu, Pearl H
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.