Understanding how visual signals are processed in the brain
Official title: Elucidating synaptic motifs in the visual thalamus
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10989896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in the brain help us see by changing the way they work in special mice, which could help us understand more about how our eyes send signals to our brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $265,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY035902-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with visual processing disorders or related neurological conditions.
✕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 specific cellular structures in the visual thalamus, which is crucial for processing visual information before it reaches the cortex. By using genetically modified mice, the study aims to disrupt the astrocytic sheaths surrounding synaptic clusters to understand their functional significance. The researchers will analyze how these changes affect the development and refinement of visual signals transmitted from the retina to the brain. This work could provide insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying visual processing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating visual processing disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding synaptic structures and their roles in brain function, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Chinfei — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chen, Chinfei
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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.