How the brain processes visual information in different states of alertness
Official title: Cellular Mechanisms of State-Dependent Processing in Visual Cortex
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-10899669 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brains of rabbits handle what they see when they're awake, drowsy, or lightly sleeping, to help us understand how different levels of alertness affect our vision.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $402,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899669 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with cognitive disorders affecting visual perception or attention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable cognitive function and no visual processing issues may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's visual cortex processes visual information when animals are in various states of alertness, including drowsiness and light sleep. By studying rabbits, which can naturally transition between these states, researchers will record the activity of neurons in the visual cortex and thalamus. The goal is to understand how these different states affect the way visual information is received and processed. This could provide insights into the cellular mechanisms that underlie visual perception beyond just awake and attentive states.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing in humans, potentially leading to better treatments for cognitive disorders related to attention and perception.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on visual processing in awake states, this approach of examining transitions between alert and nonalert states in a naturalistic setting is relatively novel.
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.