Understanding how brain cells organize and respond to visual stimuli
Official title: Thalamic constraints on cortical organization
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10914277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain cells in the visual area work together to process what we see, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how our brains make sense of visual information.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $596,259 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034488-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting visual processing or cognitive function, particularly those related to central nervous system disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely peripheral vision issues or those without any central nervous system involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how neurons in the brain's cortex are organized and how they respond to visual information. The team will explore the connections between thalamic inputs and cortical neuron activity, aiming to uncover the relationship between the structure of these connections and the way neurons process visual stimuli. By using advanced imaging techniques, they will analyze how different types of thalamic neurons contribute to the organization of visual information in the cortex. This work could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of visual perception and brain function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing in the brain, potentially leading to new treatments for visual and cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cortical organization and visual processing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ringach, Dario L — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ringach, Dario L
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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.