Understanding how we interpret and remember ambiguous social situations
Neural mechanisms of interpretation shifting and memory formation in ambiguous social contexts
This study is looking at how people with anxiety and depression understand and remember unclear social situations, using brain scans to see how their thoughts and memories work, with the hope of finding better ways to help them cope.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10998187 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how people interpret ambiguous social information and how these interpretations are formed and remembered. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a new behavioral task that reflects real-life social ambiguities, the study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms involved in shifting interpretations and memory formation. The research focuses on understanding biases in interpretation and memory that are linked to anxiety and depression, with the goal of improving cognitive strategies for managing these conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing anxiety or mood disorders, particularly those who struggle with interpreting ambiguous social cues.
Not a fit: Patients who do not experience anxiety or mood disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better therapeutic strategies for individuals suffering from anxiety and mood disorders by enhancing their ability to interpret social situations more accurately.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been research on cognitive biases in interpretation and memory, this approach combining fMRI with real-life social ambiguity is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sava-Segal, Clara — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Sava-Segal, Clara
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.