Understanding how the brain perceives object shapes through vision and touch
Official title: Modality-independent representations of object shape in macaque inferotemporal cortex
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10933408 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how the brain combines what we see and feel to understand the shapes of objects, using monkeys to learn more about how this works, which could help us better understand how we recognize things around us.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31EY033205-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933408 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with visual or tactile processing difficulties, such as those with sensory integration disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any sensory processing issues or those who are not affected by conditions related to object recognition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain creates a unified perception of object shapes using both visual and haptic (touch) inputs. By studying the inferotemporal cortex in macaques, the researchers will record the activity of neurons while the animals interact with objects presented visually and through 3D-printed models. This approach aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that allow the brain to integrate these different sensory modalities into a single perception of shape. The findings could enhance our understanding of sensory processing and object recognition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for designing assistive technologies that enhance object recognition for individuals with sensory processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding sensory integration in humans, but this specific approach using macaque models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snider, William Grayson — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Snider, William Grayson
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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.