How Sleep and Wakefulness Control Brain Activity During Learning
Gating of Firing Rate Homeostasis by Sleep and Wake States During Experience-Dependent Plasticity
['FUNDING_R01'] · BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11092841
This project explores how sleep and wakefulness help the brain maintain stable activity levels in the visual system, especially after changes from new experiences.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (WALTHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11092841 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Our brains constantly adjust how nerve cells communicate, a process called plasticity, which is crucial for learning and adapting. This work looks at how sleep and wake states influence the brain's ability to keep its activity balanced, a process called firing rate homeostasis. We are particularly interested in the visual part of the brain and how it recovers from changes, like when one eye's vision is temporarily altered. By observing these changes in freely moving animals, we can understand when and how the brain restores its normal activity levels. This helps us learn more about how our brains maintain healthy function despite constant changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve human patients, but future applications could benefit individuals with conditions related to visual system plasticity or brain activity regulation.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or direct participation in human trials would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how sleep and wake states regulate brain activity could lead to new ways to help people with conditions affecting brain plasticity, such as amblyopia or other visual impairments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that brain activity levels can be restored after changes, and this project builds on those findings by specifically examining the role of sleep and wake states.
Where this research is happening
WALTHAM, UNITED STATES
- BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY — WALTHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TURRIGIANO, GINA G — BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: TURRIGIANO, GINA G
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.