How frontal brain rhythms help time and hold visual memories
Prefrontal contributions to phase-dependent representation of visual information
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11093359
This project explores whether rhythmic signals from the front of the brain help your visual system time and keep images in short-term memory, which may matter for attention and memory problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11093359 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will look at how timing signals (brain rhythms) from the frontal cortex interact with visual areas when images are held in short-term memory and around eye movements. They will record the timing of neuronal activity relative to those rhythms to see if information is encoded in the phase of oscillations. The team will also change frontal activity using pharmacological tools to see whether those changes alter which visual signals get stored. Together the experiments aim to show whether phase-based timing helps the brain multiplex and protect visual information during memory and attention tasks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with memory or attention problems, such as mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease, would be most directly relevant.
Not a fit: People with unrelated health issues or advanced dementia are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic neuroscience work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to improve attention and memory by targeting brain rhythms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies support the idea that brain rhythms carry information, but using frontal-region drug manipulations to gate visual memory is fairly novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES
- UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH — SALT LAKE CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NOUDOOST, BEHRAD — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: NOUDOOST, BEHRAD
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease