Higher-order thalamus shaping visual brain rhythms
Official title: Mechanisms of higher-order thalamic control over visual cortical processing
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11429292 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the thalamus helps coordinate visual processing so brains can interpret what we see, with potential relevance to autism and other disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $414,168 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY039320-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429292 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder or related sensory/attention processing challenges who may benefit from improved understanding of brain circuit function.
✕Less likely to help
People without sensory processing or attention concerns may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project explores how information moves between cortical areas and through higher-order thalamic pathways to influence how we see and pay attention. By mapping synaptic signals and how they change across different brain states, it aims to uncover mechanisms that misroute information in autism and related conditions. The team will use advanced brain circuitry methods to trace connections and temporal dynamics between cortex and thalamus. Findings could point to new targets for therapies that improve sensory processing and attention in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform new approaches to reduce sensory and attentional difficulties experienced by some people with autism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that thalamic pathways influence cortical communication, supporting potential for meaningful advances with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neske, Garrett — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Neske, Garrett
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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.