How the brain represents and generalizes past experiences
The geometry of neural representations reflecting abstraction in humans
This study is looking at how our brains learn to spot similarities in things we've experienced before, and it's for healthy people who want to help us understand how motivation and different learning speeds affect this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11066559 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the human brain learns to identify shared features from past experiences to simplify complex environments. By using functional MRI (fMRI), healthy participants will engage in a learning task that involves recognizing patterns among various stimuli. The study aims to understand how different learning timescales and motivational states influence the brain's ability to generalize information. This approach combines insights from previous studies in non-human primates with advanced neuroimaging techniques.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are healthy adults interested in cognitive neuroscience and learning processes.
Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments or neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of cognitive processes, potentially leading to improved treatments for conditions related to abnormal psychology.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research in non-human primates has shown promising results using similar methodologies, suggesting potential for success in human studies.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shohamy, Daphna — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Shohamy, Daphna
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.