Understanding Brain Signals for Risk-Taking Behavior
Neurophysiological biomarkers in preclinical assays of risk propensity
This project is looking for new ways to identify brain signals related to how people make risky decisions, which could help us find better treatments for conditions like anxiety, anorexia nervosa, or substance use disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158986 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many brain conditions involve either taking too many risks or being too cautious. This project aims to find specific brain signals, called biomarkers, that show how much risk someone is willing to take. Researchers are developing and testing new ways to measure these signals in the brain during decision-making. The goal is to create better tools to discover new medicines that can help balance risk-taking behavior in people with these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience extreme risk aversion, such as those with pathological anxiety or anorexia nervosa, or low risk aversion, like those with gambling or substance use disorder, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to extreme risk-taking or risk aversion may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that help people with conditions like anxiety, anorexia nervosa, or substance use disorders make healthier decisions by adjusting their risk-taking tendencies.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific assay is novel, previous work in rats suggests that certain brain cell activity is linked to decision-making and risk.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dulawa, Stephanie C — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Dulawa, Stephanie C
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.