How brain regions work together during memory and imagination

Coordinated mental simulation in the hippocampus and primary visual cortex during active behavior

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11033991

This study is looking at how two key parts of the brain work together to help us remember things and imagine future events, using rats to see how different situations affect this teamwork.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11033991 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how two important areas of the brain, the hippocampus and the primary visual cortex, collaborate to create mental simulations, such as recalling memories or imagining future events. By using advanced tools to monitor brain activity in freely moving rats, the study aims to understand the interaction between these regions during active behavior. The researchers will manipulate various external factors to see how they affect this coordination, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of sensory perception and cognition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals experiencing psychiatric disorders that affect sensory perception.

Not a fit: Patients with neurological conditions unrelated to sensory perception may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of psychiatric conditions that disrupt sensory perception, such as schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain coordination during cognitive tasks, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.