How bats navigate complex environments using their brains
The Emergence Persistence and Plasticity of Neural Codes for Self-Selected Goal-Directed Navigation
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · NIH-10868565
This study looks at how the brains of Egyptian fruit bats help them find their way around tricky places by choosing different paths to get to their food, and it aims to learn more about how their brains work while they’re foraging.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BERKELEY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10868565 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the hippocampus in bats supports their ability to navigate complex environments by allowing them to choose different routes to reach the same goal. By studying the Egyptian fruit bat, researchers aim to understand the neural codes that emerge during goal-directed navigation. The project utilizes advanced technologies to monitor the bats' brain activity while they engage in natural foraging behaviors in specially designed environments. This approach helps to reveal the underlying neural dynamics and computations involved in their navigation patterns.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals with cognitive impairments affecting navigation and spatial awareness.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive navigation or spatial awareness may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of navigation in animals and potentially inform treatments for human cognitive disorders related to spatial awareness.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using animal models to understand complex cognitive processes, making this approach promising yet still innovative.
Where this research is happening
BERKELEY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY — BERKELEY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YARTSEV, MICHAEL MOSHE — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- Study coordinator: YARTSEV, MICHAEL MOSHE
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.