Understanding How Brain Regions Work Together to Support Behavior
CRCNS: Emergence of Coordinated Multi-Region Brain Activity Supporting Behavior
This project explores how different parts of the brain communicate and change as we learn new behaviors, which could help us understand conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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-11135529 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our brains are constantly changing how neurons interact to allow us to think and act flexibly. This project uses advanced optical techniques to watch these changes happen in living brains at a very detailed level. We are focusing on how the brain learns new goal-directed behaviors, observing how connections between brain cells are updated over time. By combining these experiments with computer models, we aim to map how brain activity changes across different regions during learning. This work will help us understand the fundamental ways our brains adapt and learn.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This basic science project does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this work might seek individuals with memory or learning challenges.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this foundational understanding of brain dynamics and learning could eventually lead to new insights into how conditions like Alzheimer's disease affect brain function and memory.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific 'all-optical' techniques are novel, other basic neuroscience studies have successfully used animal models to understand brain learning mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aljadeff, Johnatan — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Aljadeff, Johnatan
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.