Understanding how habits form in the brain
Official title: Circuit-specific plasticity mechanisms for habitual behavior
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11162004 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains switch from making thoughtful choices to doing things automatically, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how habits form and what that means for different health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $77,284 |
| NIH project number | 1F32MH138082-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162004 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals experiencing difficulties with habit formation or compulsive behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit habitual behavior issues or related neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain transitions from flexible, goal-directed behaviors to automatic, habitual actions. By focusing on specific brain regions, particularly the dorsal striatum, the study aims to identify the neural circuits involved in habit formation. Using advanced techniques, researchers will isolate different types of cortical inputs to the striatum and observe how these inputs change during the development of habits. This could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of habitual behavior and its implications for various conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of compulsive behaviors and other disorders related to habit formation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding habit formation through similar approaches, but this study aims to explore novel aspects of the underlying mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morris, Cameron Wayne — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Morris, Cameron Wayne
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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.