Understanding how the brain perceives cognitive effort

Subjective Cognitive Effort Indexes Sub-Criticality in the Brain

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10906200

This study is looking at how the brain's sense of effort impacts decision-making and motivation, especially for people dealing with depression and schizophrenia, to find ways to help them manage their mental energy better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10906200 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the brain's perception of cognitive effort affects decision-making and motivation, particularly in individuals with conditions like depression and schizophrenia. By using advanced imaging techniques such as functional MRI and electroencephalography, the study aims to identify how brain dynamics change under various cognitive loads and conditions. The goal is to understand the mechanisms that lead to increased subjective effort, which can hinder cognitive performance and motivation. This knowledge could inform interventions to help individuals manage cognitive effort more effectively.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing cognitive challenges related to depression, schizophrenia, or cognitive aging.

Not a fit: Patients without cognitive impairments or those not experiencing significant cognitive effort-related issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing cognitive motivation and decision-making in patients with cognitive disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding brain dynamics related to cognitive effort, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions DiseaseDisorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.