Using computer models to understand learning and decision-making in psychiatric conditions
Official title: Leveraging computationally derived measures of individual differences in learning and decision-making to predict psychiatric diagnosis, symptoms and changes in symptom severity across time
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11029653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way people learn and make decisions can help us understand psychiatric disorders better, so we can improve diagnoses and treatments for those experiencing mental health challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | April 17, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $857,903 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH138895-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing anxiety or other psychiatric symptoms who are seeking better diagnostic and treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable psychiatric conditions who are not experiencing significant changes in symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance our understanding of psychiatric disorders by analyzing how individual differences in learning and decision-making can predict diagnoses and symptom changes over time. By employing a computational assessment task battery, the study will measure various cognitive processes and their relationship to psychiatric symptoms. The goal is to identify reliable and meaningful computational measures that can inform better diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients. This approach combines advanced computational techniques with clinical insights to improve mental health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans for individuals with psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in computational psychiatry has shown promise in using similar approaches to improve understanding and treatment of psychiatric conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'doherty, John P — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: O'doherty, John P
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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.