Understanding how the brain controls eye movements for visual search
Elucidating the role of the oculomotor circuit in free viewing visual search
This work helps us learn how different parts of the brain work together to guide our eyes when we look for things, which could be important for conditions like autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128762 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For many years, scientists have been curious about how specific brain areas, like the frontal eye field, superior colliculus, and lateral intraparietal area, control our eye movements. While we know these areas are important, it's been unclear if they each have unique jobs or if they all do similar things. Our team is using more natural ways to watch eye movements, like when someone freely looks around, to discover the special roles each brain area plays. We believe one area helps decide where to look, another controls the timing of eye movements, and a third keeps track of where we've already looked, all working together as a network.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but future studies building on these findings may seek individuals with conditions affecting eye movement control or visual search, such as Autistic Disorder.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in the basic science of brain function related to eye movements may not find direct benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of how the brain processes visual information and controls eye movements, potentially informing future approaches for conditions like Autistic Disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research over decades has established the importance of these brain areas in eye movement, and recent studies using naturalistic tasks have begun to reveal their distinct roles, suggesting this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bisley, James — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Bisley, James
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 below.