How attention and tasks change what people see
Deep sampling of cognitive effects in the human visual system
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11130952
The team uses high-resolution brain scans to see how a person's attention and tasks change how their brain processes images.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11130952 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would come to the University of Minnesota for multiple sessions in a very strong MRI scanner while you view the same set of images and perform different visual or cognitive tasks. The project collects many high-quality brain scans from a small number of people to capture how attention and task demands alter responses on single trials. The researchers are also developing improved analysis methods to better isolate the brain signals tied to each trial and to reduce noise in the data. The resulting dataset and models will be shared so other scientists can use them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who can safely undergo 7T MRI scans and are willing to attend multiple scanning and task sessions are the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People who cannot have MRI scans (for example due to metal implants, severe claustrophobia, or pregnancy) or who cannot travel to Minneapolis are unlikely to participate or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of how attention and task goals alter visual processing and help guide better diagnosis or treatments for visual and cognitive disorders such as face-recognition problems or attentional deficits.
How similar studies have performed: Prior fMRI and computational studies have mapped visual processing and attention, but deeply sampled, task-rich 7T datasets focused on single-trial task effects are a relatively new and growing approach.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KAY, KENDRICK NORRIS — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: KAY, KENDRICK NORRIS
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 below.