How brain circuits process visual information for navigation
Official title: Neural circuits underlying visual representation in the medial entorhonal cortex
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11048220 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help animals use what they see to find their way around, which could help us understand how problems in this process might affect their behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $577,544 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036207-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048220 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing visual processing issues or navigation difficulties, such as those with blindness or other visual impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visual processing or navigation, such as purely auditory or cognitive impairments, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific brain circuits in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) process visual information to help animals navigate their environment. By using techniques such as electrophysiology and optogenetics, the study aims to understand how MEC neurons respond to visual cues and how these responses are organized within the brain. The research will explore the connections between visual input and the brain's navigation systems, potentially revealing how disruptions in these processes could affect behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how visual processing impacts navigation and could inform treatments for conditions like blindness or spatial disorientation.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding brain circuits related to sensory processing, making this approach promising but still exploring new territory.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Higley, Michael James — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Higley, Michael James
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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.