Understanding how prior experiences influence decision-making in rats and humans
CRCNS: Circuit mechanisms of priors and learning during decision making
This study looks at how both rats and people learn new tasks and make choices, especially how past decisions can shape current ones, which might not always lead to the best results, and it aims to understand the brain processes behind these behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10896997 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how both rats and humans learn new tasks and make decisions, focusing on the biases that can affect their performance. It explores the concept of sequential effects, where past choices influence current decisions, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes. By comparing the behavior of animals with recurrent neural networks (RNNs) that have been programmed with evolutionary learning strategies, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind these decision-making processes. The research will involve characterizing these effects during learning tasks and identifying the neural circuitry involved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals interested in cognitive processes and decision-making, particularly those with conditions that affect learning and behavior.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive function or decision-making may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of decision-making processes, potentially leading to improved strategies for learning and behavior in both humans and animals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using neural network models to understand cognitive processes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jazayeri, Mehrdad — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Jazayeri, Mehrdad
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.