Understanding how the brain helps us navigate our environment
Official title: How Brains Build Navigational Variables and Use them to Guide Behavior
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11080212 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how the brain helps us find our way around by looking at tiny fruit flies, aiming to discover which brain cells are important for remembering places and navigating, which could help us understand more about memory and navigation in all animals, including humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $593,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35NS132252-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080212 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing cognitive decline or memory issues, particularly those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cognitive impairments unrelated to spatial navigation or memory may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain constructs navigational signals that guide our behavior, focusing on the neural circuits involved in spatial cognition. By using advanced techniques in fruit flies, the study aims to identify the specific brain cells and circuits that contribute to our ability to remember locations and navigate effectively. The researchers will enhance the tasks performed by the flies to better isolate the relevant neural mechanisms and understand how these signals influence behavior. This work could provide insights into the fundamental processes of memory and navigation in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for addressing cognitive impairments associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified neural mechanisms related to spatial cognition, suggesting that this approach has the potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maimon, Gaby — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Maimon, Gaby
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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.