Understanding how brain circuits influence decision making based on effort and rewards
Official title: Role of prefrontostriatal circuits in effort-based, cost-benefit decision making
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11094911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains make choices when we have to think about how much effort we need to put in for a reward, and it’s especially for people dealing with addiction, depression, or anxiety, as it hopes to find new ways to help them feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $526,198 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131858-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from addiction, depression, or anxiety disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any mental health conditions or those not experiencing decision-making difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits involved in making decisions that require weighing the effort against potential rewards. It focuses on how disturbances in these circuits can lead to conditions like addiction, depression, and anxiety. By using advanced techniques to measure and manipulate brain activity in animals, the study aims to uncover how specific neurons in the brain influence our choices when faced with different levels of effort and reward. The findings could lead to better-targeted therapies for individuals struggling with these disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for mental health conditions that disrupt decision-making processes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding brain circuits related to decision making, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilke, Scott Allen — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Wilke, Scott Allen
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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.