How different brain regions communicate during coordinated visual tasks
Official title: Neural mechanisms of multiregional communication during coordinated visual behavior
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10997357 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain work together when we reach for something while looking at it, using non-human primates to help us understand how our brains communicate to improve our movements and visual skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,053 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035826-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997357 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting visual-motor coordination or those undergoing rehabilitation for movement-related impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable visual-motor coordination or those not experiencing any movement disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that enable different regions of the brain to communicate effectively while performing coordinated visual tasks, such as reaching for an object while simultaneously looking at it. By using advanced neural recordings in non-human primates, the study aims to understand how brain regions interact to enhance visual behavior and movement performance. The researchers will explore how visual fixation can improve the accuracy of reaching movements and how these interactions can be modeled as communication channels between brain regions. This work could provide insights into the flexibility of behavioral responses based on visual information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of visual-motor coordination, potentially benefiting rehabilitation strategies for individuals with movement disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain communication mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pesaran, Bijan — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Pesaran, Bijan
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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.