Understanding how the brain maps space and guides decisions to help people with Alzheimer’s
Elucidating the Neural Computations Underlying Spatial Learning, Decision-Making and Generalization in Virtually-Navigating Monkeys
Researchers will record brain activity in monkeys as they navigate virtual spaces to learn how spatial memory and decision-making falter in Alzheimer’s, with the goal of informing future treatments for people with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134734 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will train monkeys to collect objects in a virtual reality environment using learned spatial rules while recording high-channel-count neural signals from hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and motor areas. They will compare how neural representations of space and shared features across experiences support decisions, especially in new or changing settings. The team will analyze the computations that link spatial maps to decision signals and test whether modulating those signals could restore more normal behavior. Findings are intended to point toward targets and strategies that could be tested in people with Alzheimer’s-related navigation problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for follow-up human work would be people with early Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment who experience problems with spatial navigation or wayfinding.
Not a fit: People with very advanced dementia or cognitive problems not related to Alzheimer’s pathology may be less likely to benefit from findings focused on early spatial mapping circuits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain circuit targets or approaches to help restore spatial navigation and decision-making in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have linked hippocampal and prefrontal circuits to navigation and decision-making, but applying high-channel-count monkey electrophysiology in virtual navigation to guide Alzheimer’s treatments is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gulli, Roberto Adamo — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Gulli, Roberto Adamo
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.