Neural mechanisms that limit the visual sensitivity of primates

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/457337

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

This project concerns the way nerve cells in the brain enable the detection and perception of objects in the visual world. It is thought that nerve cells early in the visual pathway signal the presence or absence of light in a small part of the visual field, but the nature of the neuronal code carried by these pathways remains poorly understood. The aim of our project is to address this basic question, in experimental studies of the intact primate visual system. We will conduct two sets of experiments. Firstly, we will test the hypothesis that nerve cells in the early visual system are sensitive to only a small part of the visual field. We will determine whether the signals of pre-cortical nerve cells are dependant on spatial context. Secondly we wll study the signals of several nerve cells simultaneously using multiple electrodes. We will determine if the signals of many nerve cells are required to detect small visual stimuli like those used in perimetry. These experiments address basic questions, but have application to human vision and visual dysfunction. Good acuity is essential for everyday tasks such as reading, and defects in visual sensitivity are used for early detection of neurological dysfunction in diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Understanding the properties of neurons which underlie visual perception can thus help us to understand normal visual performance, and how this changes in partial sight. This can help develop better methods for detection and treatments for such disorders.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $379,400.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Artificial Eye | Dyslexia | Glaucoma | Low vision | Visual testing | contrast thresholds | lateral geniculate nucleus | primate | vision | visual cortex

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