A new tool to study how brain circuits control behavior in primates
Official title: An optical-genetic toolbox for monitoring and controlling diverse neuromodulatory circuits governing complex behaviors in primates
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11098585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to watch and change brain activity in awake monkeys to better understand how certain brain systems affect attention and motivation, which could help us learn more about how these processes work in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,172,076 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3MH133047-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11098585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals with conditions affecting attention, motivation, or cognitive processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological conditions that do not involve neuromodulatory circuit dysfunction may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop an innovative optical-genetic toolbox that allows scientists to monitor and manipulate specific brain circuits in awake, behaving non-human primates. By focusing on neuromodulatory systems that influence behaviors such as attention and motivation, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of how these circuits affect sensory processing and decision-making. The approach combines advanced anatomical and genetic techniques to identify and study the roles of various neuromodulatory molecules in the brain. This could lead to breakthroughs in understanding complex behaviors that are relevant to human cognition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into the brain mechanisms underlying complex behaviors, potentially leading to new treatments for cognitive and behavioral disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While research on neuromodulatory systems has been conducted in rodents, this approach in non-human primates is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seidemann, Eyal J — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Seidemann, Eyal J
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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.