Investigating how acetylcholine affects attention in the brain.
Official title: Assessing the spatial and temporal scales of attention effects and attention-dependent cholinergic release in macque V4.
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11079435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a brain chemical called acetylcholine affects attention by observing its activity in the visual part of the brain in monkeys, which could help us understand attention better and how it might change in conditions like dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $41,749 |
| NIH project number | 5F31EY035522-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would be individuals experiencing attention deficits or cognitive decline, such as those with dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to attention or cholinergic dysfunction may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of acetylcholine, a neuromodulator, in attention by examining its effects in the visual cortex of macaque monkeys. The study will utilize advanced techniques like electrochemistry and electrophysiology to measure how acetylcholine is released during attention tasks. By mapping the receptive fields of neurons in the V4 area of the brain, researchers aim to determine how attention influences cholinergic signaling in response to visual cues. This could provide insights into the mechanisms of attention and how they may be affected in conditions like dementia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of attention mechanisms, potentially leading to new treatments for attention-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of acetylcholine in attention, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amodeo, John Michael — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Amodeo, John Michael
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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.