Understanding how the brain focuses on important visual information
Official title: Neural basis of visual attention in the primate brain
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11162306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our brains focus on what we see in busy places, like a crowded street, and how this ability changes over time; it's for anyone interested in understanding how attention works and could help improve treatments for attention-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 6, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $567,789 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137624-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with attention-related disorders such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairments or those not exhibiting attention-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain prioritizes visual information in cluttered environments, focusing on the mechanisms of visual attention. It explores the temporal dynamics of attention, revealing that our ability to focus on certain stimuli fluctuates over time in rhythmic cycles. By studying both humans and monkeys, the research aims to uncover the neural basis of these attention rhythms and how they influence perception and behavior. The findings could lead to a better understanding of attention-related disorders and improve treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of attention mechanisms, potentially leading to improved interventions for attention-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in understanding attention mechanisms, but this research proposes a novel rhythmic theory that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kastner, Sabine — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Kastner, Sabine
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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.