How the brain processes real objects versus pictures
Bringing the real-world into cognitive neuroscience: From images to real objects
['FUNDING_R01'] · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · NIH-11382510
This work looks at how kids' and adults' brains and behavior respond differently to real, touchable objects compared with flat pictures.
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-11382510 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You might be asked to come in and look at or reach for real three-dimensional objects and matched pictures while your behavior and brain activity are recorded. The team will include people of different ages so they can see how responses to real objects change from childhood to adulthood. They will use brain imaging and behavioral tests to measure perception, multisensory responses, and action-related processing. The researchers aim to pinpoint brain areas, like parts of the dorsal cortex, that respond more to real objects than to pictures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children and adults (including people with acquired brain injury) who can take part in vision and behavioral testing and, if required, brain imaging sessions.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment, or those with vision, cognitive, or motor impairments that prevent completing the tasks or imaging sessions, may not receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help shape better rehabilitation and training approaches that use real objects to retrain vision, perception, and action after brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Most prior vision research used flat pictures, so comparing real objects to pictures is a relatively new approach, though prior work links real-object processing to action and multisensory advantages.
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: WALSH-SNOW, JACQUELINE C — UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- Study coordinator: WALSH-SNOW, JACQUELINE C
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: Acquired brain injury