Understanding how vision and touch work together to perceive 3D shapes
Official title: CONVERGENT PROCESSING ACROSS VISUAL AND HAPTIC CIRCUITS FOR 3D SHAPE PERCEPTION
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10720137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains use both sight and touch to help us recognize and interact with 3D objects, and it's being done with monkeys to learn more about how these senses work together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $727,313 |
| NIH project number | 1R34NS132848-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10720137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with conditions affecting their sensory perception, such as visual or tactile deficits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely cognitive or non-sensory related conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how our brain processes information from both vision and touch to recognize and interact with three-dimensional objects. By studying the neural circuits involved in these sensory modalities, the researchers aim to uncover how haptic (touch) and visual information converge to enhance our perception of object shapes. The study involves advanced techniques to record neural activity in monkeys while they engage in tasks that require them to discriminate between different 3D shapes using both sight and touch. This innovative approach could lead to a deeper understanding of sensory integration in the brain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve therapies and technologies for individuals with sensory processing disorders or visual impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sensory integration, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Connor, Charles E — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Connor, Charles E
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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.