Understanding how attention affects eye movements and decision making
Neural Correlates of Spatial Attention Deployment and Perceptual Decision Making
This study looks at how paying attention affects the quick eye movements we make when deciding something, using monkeys to see how their brains work under pressure, which could help us understand how we make choices in our own lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10997541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how attention influences the way we make quick eye movements, known as saccades, and how these movements relate to decision making. By studying the activity of specific brain cells in the frontal eye field while monkeys perform tasks under time pressure, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind attention and perception. The approach involves recording neuronal activity during urgent decision-making scenarios, allowing for a clearer understanding of how different signals contribute to our choices. This could lead to insights into cognitive processes that affect behavior and decision-making in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing attention-related issues or cognitive impairments.
Not a fit: Patients with no cognitive or attention-related disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of cognitive processes related to attention and decision making, potentially leading to improved treatments for attention-related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding attention and decision-making processes, but this specific approach using urgency in decision-making is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kattner, Evan Alexander — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Kattner, Evan Alexander
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.