Understanding how the brain controls eye movements during visual searches

Elucidating the role of the oculomotor circuit in free viewing visual search

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10876980

This study is exploring how different parts of the brain team up to help us move our eyes and find things to look at, which could help people with autism understand how their vision and attention work.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10876980 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different areas of the brain work together to control eye movements when looking for visual information. By using advanced techniques to observe brain activity during natural viewing tasks, the study aims to identify the unique roles of specific brain regions involved in eye movement. Patients may benefit from insights gained about visual processing and attention, particularly in conditions like autism, where these functions can be affected.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who may experience challenges with visual attention and eye movement control.

Not a fit: Patients without autism or related visual processing disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for individuals with autism and related disorders affecting visual attention.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding brain functions related to eye movements, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 Autistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.