Understanding how the brain plans actions
Official title: Neural basis of planning
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11105888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains plan and choose actions by watching what happens in the brain while people play a game where they try to line up four stones before their opponent does, helping us understand how we make decisions and plan ahead.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,306 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137210-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals with cognitive challenges or those interested in understanding decision-making processes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe neurological disorders that prevent participation in cognitive tasks may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms involved in planning by examining how the brain selects sequences of actions from numerous alternatives. Using advanced techniques to monitor neuron activity in various brain regions, the study focuses on a task where participants aim to place four stones in a row before their opponent. This task serves as a model for understanding complex planning and decision-making processes. By analyzing the brain's activity during this task, researchers hope to uncover how cognitive functions like planning are supported by neural computations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of cognitive processes, potentially informing treatments for cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding cognitive processes through similar experimental tasks, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Daeyeol — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Daeyeol
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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.