Understanding how visual signals from the retina affect decision-making in the brain.
Official title: Visual signaling from retina to superior colliculus
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11088209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different cells in the eye send visual information to a part of the brain that helps with attention and decision-making, using rats and monkeys to learn more about how these signals work and what they mean for how we see and react to the world around us.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $504,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034004-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with attention-related disorders such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visual processing or attention may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different types of retinal cells send visual information to the superior colliculus (SC), a brain region crucial for attention and decision-making. By studying both rats and rhesus monkeys, the research aims to uncover the diversity of retinal signals and how they are processed in the SC. The project employs advanced viral techniques to trace and analyze the pathways of retinal ganglion cells that project to the SC. This understanding could provide insights into visual processing and its implications for behaviors in mammals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing and its impact on attention and decision-making, potentially leading to new treatments for related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding visual pathways in animal models, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Field, Gregory Darin — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Field, Gregory Darin
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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.