Predicting the World: How the Visual Brain Plans for the Future
Official title: Anticipation and integration in the primate visual system
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11450647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project explores how the brain predicts what we will see next and how this helps people, including those affected by autism or related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $451,871 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038362-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with autistic disorder or related perceptual processing differences who may benefit from improved understanding of visual prediction mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without perceptual processing challenges may experience indirect benefits through advances in basic science and potential future applications.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the visual system uses timing to predict upcoming images and how those predictions shape what we actually see. They will test ideas about Temporal Straightening to understand how brains keep track of fast-changing scenes. The work uses brain data from primates to model how prediction errors influence perception, with potential relevance to autism and related conditions. Findings could guide new approaches to help people with perceptual or communication difficulties.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform therapies or tools that help individuals with autism or related perceptual challenges better interpret visual information.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that temporal prediction shapes perception, but the specific ‘temporal straightening’ framework is being tested for broader clinical relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goris, Robbe L — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Goris, Robbe L
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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.