Understanding how brain signals affect learning and memory
Official title: Thalamostriatal regulation of acetylcholine during reversal learning
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11032586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain chemical called acetylcholine helps people with schizophrenia and other cognitive disorders learn and adapt to new situations, using special techniques to understand how different parts of the brain work together, which could lead to better treatments for improving thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,993 |
| NIH project number | 1K01MH138822-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychiatric and neurological disorders that affect cognitive flexibility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive impairments or those not diagnosed with relevant psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, in the brain's ability to adapt and learn from changing situations, particularly in individuals with schizophrenia and other cognitive disorders. By examining the connections between the thalamus and the dorsomedial striatum, the study aims to uncover how these brain regions regulate acetylcholine release during tasks that require cognitive flexibility. The researchers will employ advanced techniques such as fiber photometry and optogenetics to manipulate and measure brain activity, providing insights into the mechanisms of learning and memory. This could lead to new therapeutic targets for improving cognitive function in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance cognitive flexibility and learning in patients with schizophrenia and similar disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting neurotransmitter systems can improve cognitive function in various disorders, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowes, Daniel Christopher — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Lowes, Daniel Christopher
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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.