Understanding how brain neurons work together during decision making and learning
Official title: Brain-wide neural population dynamics during decision making and learning
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11014988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how groups of brain cells work together to help us make decisions and learn new things, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how our brains process information, whether in humans or monkeys.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 6, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,621 |
| NIH project number | 5R00MH121533-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with anxiety disorders or bipolar disorder who are interested in understanding their decision-making processes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have decision-making impairments or related neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how groups of neurons in the brain interact to process information and make decisions. By studying the dynamics of neural populations, the project aims to uncover how these interactions change during the learning of new tasks. The research will utilize advanced analytical tools to analyze neural activity in both humans and nonhuman primates, focusing on a specific brain area linked to decision-making. The findings could reveal common mechanisms that underlie various decision-making processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of conditions that affect decision-making, such as anxiety and bipolar disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding neural dynamics in decision-making, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golub, Matthew D. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Golub, Matthew D.
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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.