Understanding how the brain makes decisions based on rewards
Official title: Value networks and hippocampal non-local representations
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11124818 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains help us make smart choices and learn from rewards, focusing on how we remember places and past experiences to guide our decisions, and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding how we navigate our world.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $679,050 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136875-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124818 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with cognitive impairments or decision-making difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive function or decision-making may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that underlie intelligent decision-making and learning driven by rewards. It focuses on how animals, including humans, use internal models to navigate complex environments and make choices that lead to future rewards. By studying the hippocampus, the research aims to uncover how it generates representations of different locations and evaluates potential options based on past experiences and rewards. The approach involves observing brain activity in animal models to understand the processes involved in adaptive behavior and decision-making.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of decision-making processes, potentially leading to improved treatments for conditions related to cognitive and behavioral disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding decision-making processes through similar approaches, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berke, Joshua D — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Berke, Joshua D
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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.