Understanding how brain connections influence visual decision-making
Official title: Role of cortical connections to higher-order thalamic nuclei in visual decision-making
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11144677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain connections in the brain help us make visual decisions, using monkeys to see how visual information moves through the brain, and it aims to understand how different brain cells affect what we see and how we decide based on that information.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $124,009 |
| NIH project number | 7K99EY034699-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals with visual processing or attention-related disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visual processing or those who do not have access to the research facility may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific brain connections in visual decision-making by studying non-human primates. It focuses on how visual information travels from the primary visual cortex to the prefrontal cortex through the pulvinar, a higher-order thalamic nucleus. The researchers will use a novel technique involving focused ultrasound to non-invasively open the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to manipulate brain circuits and observe their effects on visual perception and decision-making. By conducting psychophysical tasks, they aim to uncover the contributions of different brain cell types to these processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of visual processing disorders and attention-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using focused ultrasound for this purpose is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding brain connectivity and decision-making.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andrei, Ariana R — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Andrei, Ariana R
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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.