Understanding how mood and reward learning are connected
Neurocomputational studies of mood-related momentum dynamics linking reward learning, valuation and responsivity
This study is looking at how your feelings and experiences with rewards can affect your mood over time, especially if you have mental health challenges like depression or anxiety, and it aims to help us better understand why mood swings happen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10886008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between mood dynamics and reward learning in individuals with various mental health disorders. By developing a new computational model, the study aims to explain how recent experiences of reward can influence mood and behavior over time. It utilizes advanced techniques like ecological momentary assessment to capture real-time mood changes, while also integrating insights from cognitive neuroscience to understand the underlying brain mechanisms. The goal is to provide a clearer understanding of affective instability, which is common in conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with stable mood and no history of mood-related disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for mood disorders by enhancing our understanding of how mood and reward systems interact.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mood dynamics through ecological momentary assessment, but this approach aims to provide a novel and comprehensive model.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dombrovski, Alexandre Y. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Dombrovski, Alexandre Y.
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.