Understanding how the claustrum helps with flexible decision making.
Official title: The functions of the claustrum in flexible decision making.
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11222393 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the brain called the claustrum helps us make flexible decisions, which can be tricky for people with conditions like ADHD and autism, and it aims to learn more about how this part of the brain works with others to improve our choices and learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 10, 2024 |
| Project end | December 9, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $608,309 |
| NIH project number | 1R56MH138416-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222393 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with neuropsychiatric conditions that affect cognitive flexibility, such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neuropsychiatric conditions or those whose cognitive flexibility is not impaired may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the claustrum, a part of the brain, in enabling flexible decision making, which is often impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders. By using specific tasks that require decision-making skills, the study aims to uncover how the claustrum interacts with other brain areas to influence choices and learning from past actions. The research will involve observing brain activity and testing the effects of manipulating the claustrum on decision-making processes. Patients may benefit from insights gained about cognitive flexibility and its implications for conditions like ADHD and autism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with cognitive flexibility issues, such as those with ADHD and autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of brain structures in decision making, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Solange P — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Brown, Solange P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how octopuses integrate sensory information and make decisions
This study is exploring how octopuses use their arms to grip things by looking closely at their nervous system and movements, which could help us understand their amazing abilities better.
-
NoviGuide for Newborn Care in Pakistan
A small NIH grant to test a pocket-sized decision support tool for nurses and doctors to improve newborn care in Pakistan.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Shared decision-making to prevent cancer in South Africa
A multi-level, school-based program in South Africa helps families, teachers, and health workers make informed choices to prevent cervical and related cancers, especially where HIV is common.
-
Improving contraception decisions for women with substance use disorders after childbirth
A patient-centered decision tool called MyPath aims to help postpartum women with substance use disorders choose and keep effective contraception after giving birth.
-
Alcohol use and suicidal thoughts: how decision-making affects risk
This project looks at how acute alcohol use and people’s decision-making patterns relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adults.
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.