How different states of alertness affect visual processing in the brain
Official title: Cellular Mechanisms of State-Dependent Processing in Visual Cortex
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11175698 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains handle what we see when we're not fully awake or paying attention, using rabbits to learn more about how their brains work in different alertness levels, which could help us understand visual perception better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $21,336 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY034503-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175698 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing cognitive disorders that impact their visual processing abilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable cognitive function and no visual processing issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes visual information during various states of alertness, including non-attentive and drowsy states. By studying rabbits, which can naturally transition between alertness and sleep, researchers will record the activity of neurons in the visual cortex and thalamus. This approach aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms that influence visual perception when the brain is not fully attentive. The findings could enhance our understanding of how visual processing changes across different states of consciousness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for cognitive disorders that affect visual perception.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of studying state-dependent visual processing in this manner is relatively novel, previous research has shown that understanding neuronal mechanisms in varying states can lead to significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bereshpolova, Yulia — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Bereshpolova, Yulia
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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.