Understanding how economic decisions are made in the brain
Official title: Mechanisms of Economic Decisions in Mice
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11078778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains make choices about money and value, especially when someone is dealing with major depression or drug addiction, by examining certain brain cells in mice to understand how they work together in decision-making.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $438,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055709-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals suffering from major depression, frontotemporal dementia, or drug addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to economic decision-making or those not experiencing mental health disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind economic decision-making, particularly how these processes are disrupted in conditions like major depression and drug addiction. By studying the orbitofrontal cortex in mice, the researchers aim to identify specific cell groups that encode the value of choices and how these cells interact within the brain. The approach combines experimental techniques with computational modeling to explore the connections between different brain regions involved in decision-making. This work could provide insights into the biological basis of economic choices and their implications for mental health disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for mental health disorders that affect decision-making.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding decision-making processes in related animal models, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padoa-Schioppa, Camillo — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Padoa-Schioppa, Camillo
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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.