Understanding how brain activity patterns influence behavior
Official title: Inferring causality with spatiotemporally stochastic optogenetics
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10936895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain work together when mice do thinking tasks, using special light techniques to see what happens when they change brain activity, which could help us understand more about how our brains make decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $354,600 |
| NIH project number | 1R34NS138022-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936895 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 those interested in the neuroscience of behavior.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive function or those who do not reside near the research location may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the causal relationships between brain activity patterns and cognitive behaviors by using advanced optogenetic techniques. The team aims to develop new methodologies that allow for the simultaneous manipulation of multiple brain regions in mice, enabling them to observe how these regions interact during different cognitive tasks. By employing a digital micromirror device to deliver light in a precise manner, the researchers hope to uncover which specific neural activities are responsible for various behaviors. This approach could lead to a deeper understanding of the brain's complex circuitry and its role in decision-making and cognition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding cognitive processes and potentially inform treatments for cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using distributed perturbation in brain research is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other studies, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pinto, Lucas — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Pinto, Lucas
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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.