Understanding how working memory affects perception and attention
Official title: Pupillary working memory for adaptive perception
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11027072 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our memory helps us remember and work with information about things we can't see, which is important for tasks like finding objects or following moving things, and it aims to understand how this works in people with different brain conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $473,509 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036843-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11027072 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing cognitive disturbances or disorders that affect memory and attention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable cognitive function and no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how working memory helps us maintain and manipulate information about objects and goals when they are not directly visible. It explores the mechanisms that allow our brains to adaptively integrate sensory information with stored memories, which is crucial for tasks like visual search and tracking moving objects. By examining eye movements and pupil responses, the study aims to uncover how these processes are affected in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment of cognitive disturbances.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve strategies for managing cognitive disorders by enhancing our understanding of memory and perception.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between working memory and perception, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kiyonaga, Anastasia — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Kiyonaga, Anastasia
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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.