How the development of the prefrontal cortex affects reward-seeking behavior in adolescents
Official title: Implications of Prefrontal Cortex Development for Adolescent Reward Seeking Behavior
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-10893568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a part of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex during the teenage years affect how young people make decisions and seek rewards, helping us understand why they might act impulsively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $112,528 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH132082-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893568 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may exhibit impulsive behaviors or challenges in reward optimization.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those who do not exhibit reward-seeking behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the development of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during adolescence influences reward-seeking behavior. By examining the connections between sensory stimuli and decision-making processes, the study aims to understand why adolescents may act impulsively and struggle with optimizing rewards. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques such as chemogenetics, optogenetics, and neural calcium imaging to explore the underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. This work could provide insights into the neural changes that occur during this critical developmental period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions for impulsive behaviors in adolescents, potentially improving decision-making and emotional regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding adolescent behavior through similar neurodevelopmental approaches, indicating that this line of inquiry is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manzano Nieves, Gabriela — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Manzano Nieves, Gabriela
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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.