Understanding how the brain recognizes objects despite changes
Official title: Investigating invariant motion encoding in mouse visual cortex
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10994831 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain helps us recognize objects, like a cup or a chair, even when they look different, such as when they’re moved or resized, and it’s designed for anyone curious about how our brains understand what we see.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,901 |
| NIH project number | 1F31EY036693-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994831 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research would include individuals with visual perception challenges or disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visual processing or those who do not experience perceptual difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's visual cortex processes and recognizes objects even when their appearance changes, such as in size or position. By studying the neural mechanisms involved in this process, the research aims to uncover how different types of invariance, like direction and spatial invariance, are computed in the brain. The approach involves advanced techniques like 2-photon imaging in animal models, specifically mice, to observe how neurons respond to various visual stimuli. This could provide insights into the fundamental workings of perception and how the brain interprets complex visual information.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual perception, potentially leading to improved treatments for visual processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding visual processing through similar methodologies, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gannon, Sara — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gannon, Sara
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating genetic factors in Lewy body diseases
This study is looking at how changes in a specific gene might play a role in conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia, so that people can better understand how their genetics affect their health and possibly find more tailored treatments.
-
Targeting the PAX3-FOXO1 protein in a deadly childhood cancer
This study is looking at a specific protein that helps a tough childhood cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, with the goal of finding new ways to treat kids who have this illness.
-
Improving population health by studying reproduction and development
This study is looking at how different things in our environment can impact pregnancy and the health of babies, and it’s for people who are planning to have children or are already parents, as it aims to help improve understanding and outcomes for everyone involved.
-
Modeling axon degeneration in C. elegans to help ALS patients
Researchers are using a tiny worm model to uncover how axons break down, which could point to new ways to help people with ALS and related nerve diseases.
-
Induced Suppression of Platelet Activity in Aneurysmal SAH Management
A new approach tests whether carefully reducing platelet activity can improve outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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.