Understanding how the brain categorizes visual information
Official title: How do cortical hierarchies mediate visual categorization
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11066424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains recognize and group different objects we see, especially in people with conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and ADHD, to better understand how these conditions affect our ability to categorize things.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,538 |
| NIH project number | 5F31EY036263-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or ADHD who experience difficulties with visual categorization and cognitive processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive categorization or those without neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain processes and categorizes visual information by examining the neural mechanisms involved in recognizing and grouping objects based on multiple features. It focuses on understanding the brain's hierarchical structure and how it integrates various sensory inputs to form abstract representations. The study aims to explore how these processes are affected in neurological disorders like Alzheimer's Disease and ADHD, which can disrupt normal categorization abilities. By using advanced techniques to analyze brain activity, the research seeks to uncover the underlying neural networks responsible for these cognitive functions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's Disease and ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding categorization processes in the brain, but this specific approach focusing on multi-feature integration in neurological disorders is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooley, Rory — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Cooley, Rory
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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.