Understanding how animals use vision to explore their environment

Computational foundations of active visual sensing

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11224388

This study is exploring how mice use their eyesight to find their way around and recognize things in tricky environments, and it’s designed for anyone interested in understanding how animals see and interact with the world around them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11224388 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how animals actively use their vision to navigate and recognize objects in complex environments. By studying mice performing object recognition tasks in augmented reality, the team aims to uncover the neural and behavioral mechanisms behind active visual sensing. The project combines insights from visual neuroscience, behavior, and machine learning to develop models that explain how visual information is processed and acted upon. The research will involve real-time rendering of visual stimuli based on the animal's movements, allowing for a detailed analysis of both behavior and neural activity.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with visual processing disorders or those interested in the mechanisms of vision.

Not a fit: Patients with stable visual function and no neurological conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing, potentially leading to improved treatments for visual impairments.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies in visual neuroscience have shown promising results in understanding visual processing.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.