Neural roots of behavioral variability in simple brain networks
Official title: Neural mechanisms underlying behavioral variability in uni- and multi-sensory contexts
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11402797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how larval fruit flies decide what to do when they get mixed sensory information, aiming to understand why even identical cues can lead to different behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $345,697 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150730-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; findings may inform future research on human neurodevelopmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Current work is preclinical and involves Drosophila; direct patient benefit would come later through translational studies.
What this research studies
This project uses the larval fruit fly as a simple model to link neural activity with behavior when multiple senses provide inputs. By exploiting powerful genetic tools, scientists can target specific groups of neurons in the larva’s brain and examine how these circuits drive choice and movement. They will compare theoretically informed predictions with actual neural and behavioral data to uncover where variability in responses comes from. The work takes advantage of an nearly complete map of this neural circuit and an easily accessible brain for in vivo testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how the brain negotiates conflicting sensory information could lead to insights into human conditions where sensory processing or attention is disrupted.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in model organisms have linked neural circuit activity to behavior, with variability partly explained by internal network dynamics.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mihovilovic Skanata, Mirna — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Mihovilovic Skanata, Mirna
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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.