Understanding how brain circuits process visual information for movement
Official title: Development of brain-scale neural circuits underlying vertebrate visuomotor transformations
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11109589 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brain of young zebrafish learns to see and move in response to what they see, which could help us understand and improve treatments for people with vision problems or injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $272,058 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033845-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109589 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants or young children with congenital visual disorders or those who have experienced vision loss due to injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed visual systems and no history of visual impairment are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how neural circuits in the brain develop and function to process visual information and coordinate movement, particularly in response to visual stimuli. Using larval zebrafish as a model, the study aims to observe the maturation of these circuits and how they can be affected by congenital disorders or injuries. By employing advanced imaging techniques like 2-photon microscopy, researchers will explore the connections between retinal cells and their targets in the brain, providing insights into how vision can be restored in cases of blindness or other visual impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for restoring vision in individuals with congenital or acquired visual disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using zebrafish models to study neural circuits, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naumann, Eva Aimable — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Naumann, Eva Aimable
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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.