Mapping how light affects the human retina's nerve cells
Leveraging Single Cell Stimulation to Untangle Parallel Perceptual Pathways in the Human Retina
['FUNDING_FELLOWSHIP'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · NIH-11009942
This study is looking at how different types of light affect the cells in your eyes that help you see, and it's for people who want to understand more about how our vision works and how it might be improved in the future.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_FELLOWSHIP'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BERKELEY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11009942 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research aims to explore how individual light stimuli impact the activity of retinal ganglion cells in the human retina. By using advanced techniques to stimulate photoreceptors and measure the resulting neural responses, the study seeks to create a detailed map of how visual information is processed before reaching the brain. This work will involve human participants and aims to connect the physiological responses of retinal cells to the conscious perception of vision. The findings could enhance our understanding of visual processing and potentially inform future treatments for vision-related conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals with healthy vision or specific retinal conditions who are interested in understanding visual processing.
Not a fit: Patients with severe retinal damage or those who are unable to participate in visual stimulation tasks may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for visual impairments by enhancing our understanding of how the retina encodes visual information.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using adaptive optics for retinal stimulation is established, this specific mapping of human retinal ganglion cells is a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
BERKELEY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY — BERKELEY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JOHNSTON, LEAH — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- Study coordinator: JOHNSTON, LEAH
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.