Understanding how the brain makes visual decisions
Official title: Neural mechanisms of flexible visual-oculomotor decision rules
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11158882 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains take in visual information and make decisions, using monkeys to understand how they use different rules to choose what to do based on what they see.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $617,002 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034640-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158882 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with cognitive impairments or disorders affecting decision-making abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive impairments or those not experiencing decision-making difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind how our brains process visual information to make decisions. It focuses on two main components: converting uncertain visual inputs into a decision variable and applying rules to that variable to make a choice. By studying monkeys, the researchers will explore how flexible decision-making rules are implemented in the brain, using innovative task designs and measuring neural activity in specific brain areas involved in eye movement. The goal is to gain insights into the cognitive processes that underlie decision-making.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of cognitive impairments related to decision-making.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding decision-making processes in the brain, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Long — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Ding, Long
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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.