Investigating how sensory and cognitive signals interact in the brain's somatosensory cortex
Official title: Population voltage imaging of sensory and cognitive signals in somatosensory (S1) cortex
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10950986 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain processes touch and makes decisions by using special imaging techniques on awake mice, which could help us understand more about how our brains work when we feel things and think.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,077 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS138989-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950986 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals with conditions affecting sensory processing or cognitive function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neurological disorders unrelated to sensory or cognitive processing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on using advanced imaging techniques to observe how sensory information, like touch, and cognitive processes, such as decision-making, interact in the brain's somatosensory cortex. By employing genetically encoded voltage indicators, the study aims to achieve high-resolution measurements of neural activity in real-time. The researchers will optimize imaging methods to capture the dynamics of specific neuron types in awake, behaving mice, providing insights into how these signals are processed and integrated. This could lead to a better understanding of brain function and its implications for sensory processing and cognition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain function, potentially leading to improved treatments for sensory and cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using voltage imaging techniques has shown promise in understanding neural dynamics, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feldman, Daniel — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Feldman, Daniel
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.