Understanding how the thalamus affects communication between visual areas of the brain
Official title: Roles of higher-order visual thalamus in state-dependent corticocortical communication
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-10925398 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the brain called the thalamus helps different areas that process what we see work together, using awake mice to learn more about how our brains understand and respond to visual information, which could help us understand certain brain disorders better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $201,564 |
| NIH project number | 5R00EY030550-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925398 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with acquired brain injuries or visual processing disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visual processing or those who do not have neurological disorders may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the higher-order visual thalamus in facilitating communication between different regions of the visual cortex. By using advanced techniques like 2-photon imaging in awake mice, the study aims to explore how the thalamus influences sensory processing and motor control. The researchers will examine the interactions between primary and secondary visual areas to better understand the underlying mechanisms of visual perception and potential dysfunctions. This work could provide insights into neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders linked to these brain regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with visual processing disorders and related neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the thalamus in sensory processing has been studied, this specific investigation into the transthalamic corticocortical pathway is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neske, Garrett — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Neske, Garrett
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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.