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Investigating The Role of Noise Correlations in Learning
NCT06673303 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
A fundamental problem in neuroscience is how the brain computes with noisy neurons. An advantage of population codes is that downstream neurons can pool across multiple neurons to reduce the impact of noise. However, this benefit depends on the noise associated with each neuron being independent. Noise correlations refer to the covariance of noise between pairs of neurons, and such correlations can limit the advantages gained from pooling across large neural populations. Indeed, a large body of theoretical work argues that positive noise correlations between similarly tuned neurons reduce the representational capacity of neural populations and are thus detrimental to neural computation. Despite this apparent disadvantage, such noise correlations are observed across many different brain regions, persist even in well-trained subjects, and are dynamically altered in complex tasks. The investigators have advanced the hypothesis that noise correlations may be a neural mechanism for reducing the dimensionality of learning problems. The viability of this hypothesis has been demonstrated in neural network simulations where noise correlations, when embedded in populations with fixed signal-to-noise ratio, enhance the speed and robustness of learning. Here the investigators aim to empirically test this hypothesis, using a combination of computational modeling, fMRI and pupillometry. Establishing a link between noise correlations and learning would open the door to an investigation into how brains navigate a tradeoff between representational capacity and the speed of learning.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DIAGNOSTIC_TEST fMRI
- BEHAVIORAL Dynamic perceptual discrimination task
Study Locations (1)
Rhode Island
- Brown University — Providence
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 40 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-12-14 |
| Est. Completion | 2025-09-01 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06673303
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06673303 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 40 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Brown University, which has 268 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Noise Correlations appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which fMRI is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06673303 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Rhode Island. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06673303 about?
NCT06673303 is a clinical study titled "Investigating The Role of Noise Correlations in Learning". A fundamental problem in neuroscience is how the brain computes with noisy neurons. An advantage of population codes is that downstream neurons can pool across multiple neurons to reduce the impact of noise. However, this benefit depends on the noise associated with each neuron being independent. No...
What is the current status of trial NCT06673303?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 40 participants. The study started on 2024-12-14. Estimated completion is 2025-09-01.
What conditions does trial NCT06673303 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Noise Correlations, Learning Quality. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06673303?
The interventions under investigation include: fMRI (DIAGNOSTIC_TEST), Dynamic perceptual discrimination task (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06673303?
This trial is sponsored by Brown University, which has 268 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06673303 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Rhode Island. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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