Understanding how retinal neurons develop to detect motion
Official title: Investigating Mechanisms of Development in Retinal Direction Selective Circuits
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11067731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in the mouse eye learn to detect motion by growing their branches, which helps them process what we see, and it aims to uncover how their shape affects their ability to do this.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $45,965 |
| NIH project number | 5F31EY035571-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would be individuals with congenital nystagmus or other visual processing disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no visual processing issues or those under 21 years old may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the development of dendrites in starburst amacrine cells (SACs) in the mouse retina, focusing on how these cells acquire the ability to detect motion. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to measure both the structural and functional maturation of these neurons independently. This approach will help clarify the relationship between the physical shape of the dendrites and their computational abilities, which are crucial for processing visual information. The findings could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of visual processing in the nervous system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing and potentially lead to new treatments for visual disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms being investigated may be novel, similar research has shown success in understanding neuronal development and function.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pitcher, Miah Nieva — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Pitcher, Miah Nieva
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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.