How different brain regions work together to control behavior
Understanding the Neural Mechanisms Controlling Brain-wide Dynamics
Researchers are mapping how activity flows between brain regions to better understand behaviors relevant to autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249208 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team records brain-wide activity in mice using mesoscale calcium imaging to find recurring patterns of activity that link to specific actions. They will test how activity is routed between regions and what circuit elements control which activity patterns appear, using targeted manipulations of brain circuits. By focusing on motifs of coordinated activity across the cortex (and interactions with regions like the basal ganglia), they aim to reveal mechanisms that could explain disrupted information flow seen in autism. Although the experiments are in animals, the goal is to uncover principles that could guide future human studies and treatments for autism spectrum disorder.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autism spectrum disorder could be future candidates for clinical studies or trials informed by the circuit mechanisms discovered here.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or people without autism are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic, animal-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal brain-circuit mechanisms behind autism-related behavior that guide new targets for diagnosis or treatment development.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mesoscale imaging studies in mice have found repeating activity patterns tied to behavior, but applying these findings to autism-related circuit control is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- Princeton University — Princeton, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buschman, Timothy J. — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Buschman, Timothy J.
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.