How different brain areas send and receive signals
Understanding Feedforward and Feedback Signaling Between Neuronal Populations
This project looks at how brain regions send messages forward and back to better understand brain wiring that may relate to autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11296829 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you were following this work, researchers would record electrical activity from many brain areas at once to watch how signals move between regions. They will use high-yield multi-area recordings and new analysis methods to identify the specific population signals that go forward and backward in the visual system. Much of the work uses laboratory models and detailed brain recordings to map how feedback changes ongoing activity and influences perception and attention. The goal is to build a clearer picture of inter-area signaling that could explain aspects of sensory and attention differences seen in autism.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autistic disorder who are interested in contributing to neuroscience research or who may take part in related observational or recording studies would be appropriate candidates.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment changes are unlikely to benefit directly, since this is basic neuroscience aimed at understanding mechanisms rather than testing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify how altered brain communication contributes to sensory and attention differences in autism and point to targets for future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior human and animal studies have mapped feedforward signals well, but feedback signaling is less well understood, so this work builds on some successes while exploring relatively novel questions.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kohn, Adam — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kohn, Adam
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.