Understanding Memory and Decision-Making in the Brain
Official title: Influence of Hippocampus-Like Memory Representations on Decision Making in Foraging Birds
Funded at Basis Research Institute · NIH-11169786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how the brain forms new memories and makes decisions, which could help people with memory disorders like Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Basis Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $224,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R00NS131256-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant to individuals experiencing memory difficulties or conditions like Alzheimer's disease, as it seeks to understand the underlying brain mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients would not directly participate in this animal-based research, and direct clinical benefits are not immediate.
What this research studies
Our brains rely on a special area called the hippocampus to create new memories, especially those formed quickly, like remembering where you put something. When this area is affected by conditions like Alzheimer's, it becomes harder to form these "one-shot" memories. This research uses advanced techniques to study how the hippocampus works in birds, which have excellent memory abilities. By observing their natural behaviors and brain activity, we hope to uncover the basic rules that link brain cells to memory and decision-making. This deeper understanding could pave the way for new ways to help people struggling with memory loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide fundamental insights into how memory works in the brain, which is crucial for developing new treatments for memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: This project employs novel methods for recording brain activity and tracking behavior in natural settings, building on existing knowledge of hippocampal function.
Where this research is happening
-
Basis Research Institute
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackevicius, Emily Lambert — Basis Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Mackevicius, Emily Lambert
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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.