Understanding how attention affects visual processing in the brain
Official title: Functional organization and spatial resolution of attentional feedback from frontal to visual cortex
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11057807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how paying attention helps our brains notice things we see, using mice to explore the brain connections that make this happen, which could help us understand more about attention and how it affects our actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $510,689 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036078-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with attentional deficits or cognitive control issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no cognitive or attentional issues may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how attention influences the way our brain processes visual information. It focuses on the feedback mechanisms from the frontal cortex to various visual areas, particularly how these connections enhance our ability to detect visual stimuli in specific locations. By using advanced techniques like optogenetics and multi-area recordings in mice, the study aims to uncover the neural circuits involved in attentional control. This could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of attention and its impact on behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of attentional deficits and related cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using similar techniques to study neural mechanisms of attention, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haider, Bilal — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Haider, Bilal
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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.