Title
Understanding neural mechanisms of high effort-based behaviors
Leaders
Devika Nair MD MSCI
Collaborators
No response
Project description
I am a nephrologist and physician scientist interested in understanding why some people more durably engage in high effort/low immediate reward behaviors (i.e., exercise) vs. others. I am currently conducting a pilot randomized exercise trial among Veterans with non-dialysis, advanced chronic kidney disease and am beginning to understand social, physical, and environmental drivers of engaging in exercise. However, I currently lack understanding and knowledge of how to explore whether there are differences in neurological mechanisms of engagement in these behaviors. I currently have expertise in cognitive testing, physical performance assessments, psychological survey measurement and validation, but lack experience and expertise in neuroimaging.
Link to project repository/sources
N/A
Concerete goals with specific tasks for Brainhack Vanderbilt 2026
I would like to meet other collaborators interested in answering similar questions and perhaps to identify methods and/or an existing dataset to use as pilot data to support answering my overall clinical question in a larger, grant-funded proposal.
Good first issues
-
issue one: identify methodological expertise needed in future collaborators/find future collaborators
-
issue two: identify potential existing data sources that contain neuroimaging data that are linked to behavioral data (either in humans or animals)
Skills
my coding skills are limited and have used Stata and some R
Onboarding documentation
No response
What will participants learn?
Participants will learn how to develop a scientific question based on knowledge gaps and learn how to develop cross-disciplinary collaborations with the goal of fostering open, team science.
Public data to use
I have existing data that is IRB-protected of participants with chronic kidney disease, their neuropsychological testing, their physical performance measurements/frailty, labs, and their mood. These data may be able to be shared if participants are added as key study personnel to my IRB. I do not have access to neuroimaging data.
Number of collaborators
1
Credit to collaborators
I will credit new collaborators by including them on any publications that occur as a result of this work and depending on their needs can serve as a future research mentor.
Image
N/A
Project Summary
Nephrologist studying why people sustain effortful, low-reward exercise (CKD Veteran RCT). Strong in behavioral measures; seeking neuroimaging expertise.
Type
finding_public_resources
Development status
0_concept_no_content
Topic
systems_neuroscience
Tools
other
Programming language
not_applicable
Modalities
other
Git skills
4_not_applicable
Anything else?
No response
Things to do after the project is submitted and ready to review.
Title
Understanding neural mechanisms of high effort-based behaviors
Leaders
Devika Nair MD MSCI
Collaborators
No response
Project description
I am a nephrologist and physician scientist interested in understanding why some people more durably engage in high effort/low immediate reward behaviors (i.e., exercise) vs. others. I am currently conducting a pilot randomized exercise trial among Veterans with non-dialysis, advanced chronic kidney disease and am beginning to understand social, physical, and environmental drivers of engaging in exercise. However, I currently lack understanding and knowledge of how to explore whether there are differences in neurological mechanisms of engagement in these behaviors. I currently have expertise in cognitive testing, physical performance assessments, psychological survey measurement and validation, but lack experience and expertise in neuroimaging.
Link to project repository/sources
N/A
Concerete goals with specific tasks for Brainhack Vanderbilt 2026
I would like to meet other collaborators interested in answering similar questions and perhaps to identify methods and/or an existing dataset to use as pilot data to support answering my overall clinical question in a larger, grant-funded proposal.
Good first issues
issue one: identify methodological expertise needed in future collaborators/find future collaborators
issue two: identify potential existing data sources that contain neuroimaging data that are linked to behavioral data (either in humans or animals)
Skills
my coding skills are limited and have used Stata and some R
Onboarding documentation
No response
What will participants learn?
Participants will learn how to develop a scientific question based on knowledge gaps and learn how to develop cross-disciplinary collaborations with the goal of fostering open, team science.
Public data to use
I have existing data that is IRB-protected of participants with chronic kidney disease, their neuropsychological testing, their physical performance measurements/frailty, labs, and their mood. These data may be able to be shared if participants are added as key study personnel to my IRB. I do not have access to neuroimaging data.
Number of collaborators
1
Credit to collaborators
I will credit new collaborators by including them on any publications that occur as a result of this work and depending on their needs can serve as a future research mentor.
Image
N/A
Project Summary
Nephrologist studying why people sustain effortful, low-reward exercise (CKD Veteran RCT). Strong in behavioral measures; seeking neuroimaging expertise.
Type
finding_public_resources
Development status
0_concept_no_content
Topic
systems_neuroscience
Tools
other
Programming language
not_applicable
Modalities
other
Git skills
4_not_applicable
Anything else?
No response
Things to do after the project is submitted and ready to review.
Hi @brainhack-vandy/project-monitors my project is ready!