Understanding how the brain supports contextual behavior
Official title: The Role of Functional Modularity in the Neural Code Underlying Contextual Behavior
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10949281 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains make decisions based on different situations, especially for people dealing with conditions like PTSD, schizophrenia, and addiction, to better understand what might be causing difficulties in these decision-making processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $126,333 |
| NIH project number | 1K99NS138578-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949281 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing neurological disorders such as PTSD, schizophrenia, or addiction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurological disorders or those whose conditions do not affect contextual behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes contextual behaviors, which are crucial for decision-making in different situations. It focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie these behaviors, particularly in relation to neurological disorders like PTSD, schizophrenia, and addiction. The approach combines mathematical modeling, artificial neural networks, and analysis of neural recordings from non-human primates to explore how the brain's modular representations contribute to contextual behavior. By examining these neural patterns, the research aims to uncover the underlying causes of impairments in contextual behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for neurological disorders that affect decision-making and behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding neural representations in behavior, but this specific approach combining modularity and contextual behavior is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnston, William J — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Johnston, William J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
HPV-based cervical cancer screening and treatment implementation in resource-limited settings
A collaborative project to help doctors in South Africa put HPV-based screening and same-day treatment for cervical cancer into routine care, so more people get fast, effective care.
-
Cervical cancer screening and treatment rollout in resource-poor settings
A team from Columbia and the University of Cape Town is testing how to best implement affordable, same-day HPV-based screen-and-treat for cervical cancer in public health settings.
-
Understanding SCN3A-related Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy and Finding Better Treatments
This NIH grant focuses on how SCN3A gene variants cause developmental epileptic encephalopathy and aims to develop more effective therapies for affected patients.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
M-CaRE: Mobile clinics and a smart heart-lung care tool for multimorbidity
A mobile, multilingual tool plus community health workers will help screen and manage high blood pressure and COPD in diverse adult patients, especially in underserved areas.
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.