Understanding how motivation affects cognitive control in people with Alzheimer's and other disorders
Official title: Neural and computational mechanisms of motivation and cognitive control
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11003676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how motivation affects decision-making and mental control in people with Alzheimer's and other mental health conditions, to better understand what might make it harder for them to stay focused and make choices in everyday life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $341,063 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH124849-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other related cognitive impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 or do not have cognitive impairments related to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between motivation and cognitive control, particularly in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other psychiatric disorders. It aims to uncover the neurocomputational mechanisms that contribute to motivational impairments, which can significantly affect daily functioning. By developing a computational model, the study explores how people make decisions regarding cognitive control based on the perceived costs and benefits. The research focuses on the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in integrating incentive information to enhance cognitive control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing motivation and cognitive control in patients with Alzheimer's and related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurocomputational mechanisms of motivation and cognitive control, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shenhav, Amitai — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Shenhav, Amitai
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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.