How the pretectum affects visual processing in the brain
Official title: The Influence of the Pretectum on the Pulvinar Nucleus
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10994999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific part of the brain helps us see better when we move our eyes and body, using mice to learn more about how these brain areas work together to process what we see in real-time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,822 |
| NIH project number | 1F31EY036691-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals experiencing visual processing disorders or conditions affecting eye movement coordination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable visual processing and no issues related to eye or body movement coordination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how signals from the pretectum, a part of the brain, influence visual processing in the pulvinar nucleus, particularly during eye and body movements. Using advanced techniques like viral tracing and optogenetics, the study aims to understand the connections and interactions between these brain regions in mice. By examining the structure and function of neurons involved in visual processing, the research seeks to uncover how visual signals are modified in real-time as the body moves. This could provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying active vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of visual disorders related to eye and body movement coordination.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of manipulating pretectum-pulvinar interactions is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding visual processing in the brain.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boone, Howard Chase — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Boone, Howard Chase
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gastric rhythm map to understand stomach problems using a new noninvasive tool
A new noninvasive body surface mapping method is being tested to see if abnormal stomach electrical rhythms explain chronic stomach problems like functional dyspepsia and persistent nausea.
-
Novel antivirals for alphavirus arthritis
A research team is refining a promising antiviral compound to treat alphavirus infections that cause arthritis, with a focus on Chikungunya and related viruses.
-
Linking heavy metal exposure to a tougher breast cancer type (TNBC)
Aimed at understanding how heavy metals like cadmium might trigger a dangerous breast cancer type (TNBC) in people, especially those with BRCA1 risk, to identify possible future treatment strategies.
-
Cardiac safety of flavored e-cigarette aerosols in adults
A pharmacist or clinician would test how inhaling flavored e-cigarette aerosols affects heart rhythm in adults to see if flavors raise the risk of heart problems.
-
Biomedical Research Facilities to Expand Precision Medicine in Kentucky
A large NIH grant aims to renovate and expand a shared precision medicine center in Kentucky to speed up research that could improve health for people in Appalachia and surrounding areas.
-
Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
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.