Understanding how the brain makes unique decisions
Official title: Neural circuits for decision making
Funded at Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci · NIH-10828455 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain help mice make decisions, and by understanding this, we hope to learn why people sometimes choose differently in similar situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $390,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R56MH130488-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10828455 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals experiencing mental health disorders that affect decision-making.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-defined decision-making processes and no mental health issues may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits involved in decision-making, focusing on how individual differences influence choices. By studying mice, the researchers aim to identify specific brain networks, particularly in the cingulate cortex and striatum, that contribute to unique decision-making processes. The study employs advanced techniques such as optogenetics and two-photon imaging to explore how these circuits function and interact. Insights gained from this research could help explain why people make different choices in similar situations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of mental health disorders related to decision-making.
How similar studies have gone: While the exploration of neural circuits in decision-making is ongoing, this specific focus on idiosyncratic decision-making is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hwang, Eun Jung — Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
- Study coordinator: Hwang, Eun Jung
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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.