Understanding how primates perceive uncertainty in visual information

Uncertainty, inference, and introspection in the primate visual system

NIH-funded research University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11094777

This study looks at how our brains, along with those of primates, make sense of unclear visual information and how past experiences help us decide what we see, which could help us understand conditions like agnosia and autism better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas at Austin NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Austin, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094777 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how primates, including humans, process visual information when faced with uncertainty. It explores the neural mechanisms that allow the brain to interpret ambiguous sensory cues by integrating prior experiences and the reliability of sensory signals. By studying these processes, the research aims to uncover how uncertainty influences perception and decision-making. The findings could provide insights into the neural circuits involved in conditions like agnosia and autism.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with visual perception disorders, including those with agnosia or autism spectrum disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to visual perception or cognitive processing may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for visual perception disorders and cognitive conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sensory processing and uncertainty in related fields, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Austin, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions autism spectral disorderautism spectrum disorderAutistic Disorderautistic spectrum disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.