Understanding decision-making behavior in mental health disorders

Building normative models of Reinforcement Learning Decision Making Behavior

NIH-funded research Mclean Hospital · NIH-10746456

This study is looking at how people with mental health conditions make choices and learn from their experiences, with the hope of creating better, personalized treatments to improve their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMclean Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Belmont, United States)
Project IDNIH-10746456 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how individuals with psychiatric disorders make decisions, focusing on a specific behavior known as Reinforcement Learning Decision Making (RLDM). By using computational models, the study aims to identify and quantify the different processes involved in decision-making, such as valuing options and learning from outcomes. The goal is to develop normative models that can help tailor treatments to individual patients, enhancing the precision of psychiatric care. The research addresses the need for more effective methods to understand and treat the complexities of mental health disorders.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders who experience challenges in decision-making.

Not a fit: Patients with non-psychiatric conditions or those without decision-making impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment strategies for individuals with mental health disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using computational models to understand decision-making in mental health, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Belmont, 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 behavioral disorderBehavior DisordersMental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.