Understanding how the brain controls eye movements during dreaming
Official title: Role of the Superior Colliculus in Orienting Eye Movements during REM Sleep
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11260638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the brain helps control eye movements while we dream, which could help us understand how our brains create and experience dreams, especially for people with certain mental health conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00EY033850-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11260638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals experiencing sleep disturbances or psychiatric conditions that may be related to dreaming.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience REM sleep or have no psychiatric conditions related to dreaming may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the superior colliculus, a part of the brain, in controlling eye movements during REM sleep, which is the sleep phase associated with vivid dreaming. By examining the activity of specific brain cells during this phase, the study aims to uncover how our brain generates and interacts with visual experiences while we dream. The researchers will focus on rapid eye movements as indicators of how the brain processes these dream experiences, potentially linking them to psychiatric conditions. This work could provide insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying our perception of reality and dreams.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of sleep and dreaming, potentially leading to better treatments for psychiatric disorders linked to abnormal dream experiences.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of linking eye movements during REM sleep to brain activity is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding sleep and its effects on mental health.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Senzai, Yuta — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Senzai, Yuta
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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.