Understanding how the brain makes decisions using multiple senses
Official title: Cortical circuit dynamics underlying multisensory decision making
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10721255 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how monkeys use their senses, like sight and balance, to decide how to move in tricky situations, and by watching their brain activity while they do this, researchers hope to learn more about how our brains combine different types of information to help us make decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,490,248 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS132910-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10721255 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting sensory processing or decision-making abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no sensory processing issues or those not experiencing decision-making difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain integrates information from different senses, such as vision and balance, to make decisions about movement in complex environments. By training monkeys to perform tasks that require them to judge their direction of movement, researchers will record brain activity to understand how sensory information is combined and how decisions are made. The study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms behind these multisensory decisions, focusing on the timing and accuracy of responses. This could provide insights into how sensory integration affects behavior and decision-making.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of sensory processing and decision-making, potentially benefiting patients with sensory integration disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding sensory integration, but this approach of studying multisensory decision-making at a population level is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fetsch, Christopher R — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Fetsch, Christopher R
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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.