How sleep and specific retinal cells affect vision processing.
Official title: The effects of sleep and iPRGCs on computations in the early visual system
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11077188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep affects the way our eyes and brain work together to process what we see, focusing on special cells in the eye that respond to light, and it's for anyone curious about how sleep might influence their vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32EY036275-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing visual processing issues or sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable vision and no sleep-related problems may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of sleep and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (iPRGCs) in visual processing. It aims to understand how different types of photoreceptor inputs, including those from rods, cones, and iPRGCs, contribute to the brain's ability to process visual information. By measuring the responses of these retinal cells and developing a computational model, the study seeks to reveal how sleep influences these visual computations. This could provide insights into the complexities of vision and its modulation by sleep.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing and lead to improved treatments for vision-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of different photoreceptors in vision, but the specific focus on iPRGCs and sleep is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Au, David — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Au, David
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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.