Understanding how brain activity affects blood flow during different tasks
Official title: Neurovascular coupling during context-dependent sensory processing
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10949798 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how brain activity affects blood flow using special brain scans, helping us understand how our brains respond to different tasks, which could make brain scans more useful for people in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $414,908 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC022000-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949798 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals with cognitive impairments or neurological disorders that affect brain function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable neurological conditions that do not affect cognitive processing may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between neuronal activity and blood flow in the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). By studying how the brain responds to sensory information during various cognitive tasks, the researchers aim to clarify how different signals influence blood flow and oxygen levels. The approach involves recording neural activity alongside fMRI signals in animal models to gain insights into neurovascular coupling. This understanding could improve the interpretation of fMRI data in humans, particularly during complex tasks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate interpretations of brain imaging data, enhancing our understanding of cognitive processes and potentially improving diagnostic methods for neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neurovascular coupling, but this specific approach of examining context-dependent processing in animal models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fukuda, Mitsuhiro — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Fukuda, Mitsuhiro
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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.